Technology Matters: Collaboratively augmenting longitudinal monitoring (CALM) in bipolar disorder - co-design, co-production and evaluation of the alpha prototype app

Apps developed for bipolar disorder (BD) allow a sense of autonomy and self-regulation whilst monitoring for early warning signs indicative of a relapse. C.A.L.M BD was specifically co-designed and co-produced with young people (16-25 years) living with BD, their family members, clinicians, researchers in human-computer interaction and an app development company to address the current lack of such technology for this age range. The prototype app tracked mood, and provided young people with the instant ability to monitor mood trends and use lifeline functionality when in crisis. The evaluation of the app demonstrated that it successfully engaged participants and provided insight to an effective way of iteratively designing an app. The future development of this app could improve outcomes for young people living with BD, however, needs to be evaluated rigorously.