Providing emotional support during the process of multiple sclerosis diagnosis (PrEliMS): A feasibility randomised controlled trial

Das Nair, Roshan; Mhizha-Murira, Jacqueline R; Topcu, Gogem; Tindall, Tierney; Bale, Clare; Moghaddam, Nima; Scheffler-Ansari, Grit; Drummond, Avril; Fitzsimmons, Deborah; Evangelou, Nikos

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an emotional support programme for newly diagnosed people with multiple sclerosis.

Design
Three-arm, mixed methods, randomised controlled trial comparing usual care, versus usual care plus nurse-specialist support, versus usual care plus nurse-specialist support plus peer support.

Participants
Community-dwelling adults within two years of diagnosis or undergoing diagnosis.

Interventions
PrEliMS involves information provision, emotional support, and strategies and techniques based on psychoeducation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles, supportive listening. One version of the intervention was provided by nurse-specialists alone and the other was provided by nurse-specialists plus peer support.

Main measures
The main outcome of interest was the feasibility of proceeding to a definitive trial, exploring recruitment rate, acceptability, completion of outcome measures (perceived stress, mood, self-efficacy, psychological impact, and service use), and signal of efficacy.

Results
Of 40 participants randomised (mean age 36.2 years (SD = 14.8); 54% women; 85% with relapsing-remitting MS), 36 and 38 returned 3- and 6-month questionnaires, respectively. Participant interviews suggested the trial was largely feasible, and the intervention acceptable, with some amendments to trial procedures and intervention delivery noted. There were, however, no statistically significant differences between groups at followup for any measures, and effect-size estimates were small.

Conclusion
A definitive trial combining nurse-specialist and peer support adjustment to diagnosis intervention is warranted, but more work exploring the delivery and fidelity of the intervention is needed before this is pursued.

Citation

Das Nair, R., Mhizha-Murira, J. R., Topcu, G., Tindall, T., Bale, C., Moghaddam, N., Scheffler-Ansari, G., Drummond, A., Fitzsimmons, D., & Evangelou, N. (2024). Providing emotional support during the process of multiple sclerosis diagnosis (PrEliMS): A feasibility randomised controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 38(11), 1506-1520. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155241284781

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 14, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Sep 25, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-11
• Deposit Date: Aug 15, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 15, 2024
• Journal: Clinical Rehabilitation
• Print ISSN: 0269-2155
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-0873
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 38
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1506-1520
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155241284781
• Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; Diagnosis; Emotional support; Psychological adjustment; Peer Support
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/38379943
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02692155241284781