Conclusions  Electronic self-monitoring of mood in depression appears to be a valid measure of mood in contrast to self-monitoring of mood in mania .
Background Various paper-based mood charting instruments are used in the monitoring of symptoms in bipolar disorder .
During recent years an increasing number of electronic self-monitoring tools have been developed .
The objectives of this systematic review were 1 ) to evaluate the validity of electronic self-monitoring tools as a method of evaluating mood compared to clinical rating scales for depression and mania and 2 ) to investigate the effect of electronic self-monitoring tools on clinical ly relevant outcomes in bipolar disorder .
There are yet few studies on the effect of  electronic self-monitoring of mood  in bipolar disorder .
An online randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of 'Living with Bipolar': a web-based self-management intervention for bipolar disorder: trial design and protocol.
BACKGROUND Bipolar Disorder ( BD ) is a common and severe form of mental illness . Pharmacotherapy is the main treatment offered , but has limited effectiveness , and there is increasing evidence that people with BD respond well to psychological interventions . Inequalities in access to face-to-face psychological interventions mean many people seek support outside of routine health services . AIM To assess a recovery informed web-based self-management intervention for BD to increase access to psychological support . METHOD A small online r and omised controlled trial ( RCT ) will evaluate the feasibility , acceptability and potential effectiveness of the intervention compared to treatment as usual ( TAU ) .  Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed by recruitment , adherence and dropout rates , website usage statistics , user satisfaction scales and a series of qualitative interviews . Effectiveness will be assessed on a range of outcome measures including quality of life , mood symptoms , coping , recovery , and illness beliefs . ANALYSIS Rates of adherence and dropout will be analysed using logistic regression models with health , socioeconomic and treatment factors as explanatory variables . Changes in quality of life mean scores , contrasting between arms , will be assessed using r and om effects models . An exploratory analysis will be performed on the secondary outcomes . Thematic analysis ( Braun & Clarke , 2006 ) will be used to analyse the qualitative interviews . DISCUSSION The benefits , challenges and method ological challenges of developing a web-based intervention and conducting an RCT online are discussed . CONCLUSION The results of this trial will inform a definitive trial ; and the implementation phase will aim to assess the potential for use within the NHS
Conclusions  Electronic self-monitoring of mood in depression appears to be a valid measure of mood in contrast to self-monitoring of mood in mania .
Background Various paper-based mood charting instruments are used in the monitoring of symptoms in bipolar disorder .
During recent years an increasing number of electronic self-monitoring tools have been developed .
The objectives of this systematic review were 1 ) to evaluate the validity of electronic self-monitoring tools as a method of evaluating mood compared to clinical rating scales for depression and mania and 2 ) to investigate the effect of electronic self-monitoring tools on clinical ly relevant outcomes in bipolar disorder .
There are yet few studies on the effect of  electronic self-monitoring of mood  in bipolar disorder .