The effect of telenursing counseling on functioning and treatment compliance levels in patients with bipolar disorder

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of telenursing counseling on the levels of functioning and treatment adherence in individuals with bipolar disorder. Method: The research was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study with a pretest–posttest design between December 2024 and September 2025 at the Community Mental Health Center of Kütahya Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital. Initially, 72 participants were included in the study; however, following the withdrawal of two participants, the study was completed with 70 individuals (experimental = 35, control = 35). The experimental group received structured telenursing counseling for eight weeks, while the control group received only routine follow-up care. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST), and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Appropriate statistical analyses were performed, and the level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (p>0.05). After telenursing counseling, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in functioning levels (FAST pretest: 40.54±12.41; posttest: 34.48±11.86; p<0.001; d=0.50), with a significant difference compared to the control group (p<0.05). In addition, treatment adherence levels improved markedly (MMAS pretest: 2.54±0.91; posttest: 0.37±0.59; p<0.001; d=2.28). Conclusion: Telenursing counseling is an effective intervention for improving functioning and treatment adherence in individuals with bipolar disorder. This approach strengthens patients' self-care behaviors and supports their active participation in treatment.