Needs and design analysis of a counselling service for couples affected by multiple sclerosis - a mixed-methods study design within the framework of a participatory health research approach (PGF)

Needs and design analysis of a counselling service for couples affected by multiple sclerosis - a mixed-methods study design within the framework of a participatory health research approach (PGF) - PAART-Study

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00031739

Enrollment

Registered

2023-05-04

Start date

2022-07-04

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-08-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Multiple sclerosis (G35)

Interventions

Group 1: Interviews with counsellors in counselling centres of the DMSG (= German Multiple Sclerosis Society) Group 2: Focus groups discussion with couples affected by multiple sclerosis

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Target group 1: Counsellors (DMSG) a) Counselling activity > 1 year with predominantly people with MS as clients (counsellors affected by MS themselves may also be eligible). b) Written consent to participate Target group 2: "MS couples" a) Same-sex and heterosexual couples who have been in a close, personal (intimate) relationship for > 6 months. b) Shared household for > 6 months c) Written consent to participat

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Target group 1: none Target group 2: (a) Capacity to give consent is not given. (b) At the time of the request and the interview, the person affected by MS is undergoing (partial) inpatient treatment at the NRZ (or another clinic). (c) There is another chronic disease in the partnership that is relevant to daily life.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Content-analysed interviews and focus group discussions on design aspects (a-priori categories including: Offers, demand/assignments, topics, target group, attractiveness features) and organisational aspects (a-priori categories including: Group size/composition, time and space formats, interaction formats) of a counselling seminar aimed at couples with MS.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
With regard to the target group "counsellor", additional data on the person (age, gender), the field of activity (scope of work, scope of counselling, range of treatment) and the qualification background are requested. With regard to the target group "MS couples", additional demographic data (age, gender), disease-specific data (first MS diagnosis: year; MS progression type: G35.0-3, three current dominant symptoms, medication level: basic or escalation), EDSS severity, degree of disability, degree of care), occupational-medical data (job title, occupational status: >6, 3-6, <3 hrs.; retired) and couple-related data (marital status, partnered since, joint household since, joint years of illness, children: number/ age/ joint household: yes/ no) as well as experience with (couple) counselling are requested.	—

Measure

Time frame

With regard to the target group "counsellor", additional data on the person (age, gender), the field of activity (scope of work, scope of counselling, range of treatment) and the qualification background are requested. With regard to the target group "MS couples", additional demographic data (age, gender), disease-specific data (first MS diagnosis: year; MS progression type: G35.0-3, three current dominant symptoms, medication level: basic or escalation), EDSS severity, degree of disability, degree of care), occupational-medical data (job title, occupational status: >6, 3-6, <3 hrs.; retired) and couple-related data (marital status, partnered since, joint household since, joint years of illness, children: number/ age/ joint household: yes/ no) as well as experience with (couple) counselling are requested.

—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactJörn Nielsen

Uniklinik Köln (AöR) Medizinische Psychologie | Neuropsychologie und Gender Studies Centrum für Neuropsychologische Diagnostik und Intervention (CeNDI)Uniklinikum Köln, Medizinische Fakultät

joern.nielsen@uk-koeln.de+4922147896250

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Aug 9, 2026