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Self Help for Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis

A Randomised Controlled Trial of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Based Self Help for Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01532037
Enrollment
73
Registered
2012-02-13
Start date
2012-06-30
Completion date
2014-05-31
Last updated
2021-06-23

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

Conditions

Fatigue, Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

Randomised controlled trial, Multiple Sclerosis, Fatigue, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Self Help

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based self help is effective for the management of symptoms of fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Detailed description

Background: Fatigue is a common disabling symptom in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in the reduction of fatigue in MS and CBT-based self-help has been shown to be effective as a low intensity intervention for anxiety and depression. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a CBT based self-help workbook at reducing perceived impact of fatigue in a clinical sample of MS patients.

Interventions

OTHERCognitive behavioural therapy based self help

Comparison of cognitive behavioural therapy based pure self help and guided self help (support of a therapist) compared to treatment as usual

OTHERTreatment as usual

Usual care from healthcare professionals with regard to patients symptoms of fatigue

Sponsors

University of Edinburgh
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* All participants will be aged 18 or over * Will have a recognised diagnosis of relapsing remitting or primary progressive relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis from a neurologist * Cognitively able to give informed consent as deemed by referring clinician in the Fife Rehabilitation Service * Willing to consent to randomised control trial * Fatigue as a primary symptom

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with severe anxiety or depression (assessed by cut off on HADS) * Patients with psychosis or personality disorders (assessed by referring clinician) * Patients currently receiving input from psychological services for fatigue management * Patients with suicidal ideation or plans (assessed by referring clinician) * Patients who are unable to read the workbook or standardised questionnaires due to literacy levels or cognitive abilities will be excluded from the analysis, although if patients have literacy or cognitive problems, referral to a more suitable 1-to-1 type of therapy will be made.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from baseline on ratings of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale at post measure, 3, 6 & 12 months follow up.5 time points at 0, 8, 20, 32 & 60 weeks.The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) consists of 21 items selected from the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS; Fisk, Ritvo, Ross, Haase, Murray, & Schlech, 1994), a multidimensional scale developed to assess the perceived impact of fatigue on a variety of daily activities. The items of the MFIS can be combined into three subscales (Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial), as well as into a total MFIS score. All items are scaled so that higher scores indicate a greater impact of fatigue on a patient's activities. Measures will be taken at 5 time points to assess change over time.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from baseline on the 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument at post measure, 3, 6 and 12 months follow up.5 time points at 0, 8, 20, 32 & 60 weeks36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF 36, Ware et al.1993) consists of 36 questions measuring functional health and well-being from the patient's point of view. Scores are split into two summary measures (physical health and mental health) and within the two summary measures there are eight scales which include. The eight scales are made up of; physical functioning, role limitations due to physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional functioning and mental health.
Change from baseline on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at post measure, 3, 6 and 12 months follow up.5 time points at 0, 8, 20, 32 & 60 weeks
Change from baseline on the Self-Efficacy for managing chronic Disease 6 Item Scale at post measure, 3, 6 and 12 months follow up.5 time points at 0, 8, 20, 32 & 60 weeksIs a 6-item scale which is adapted from the original 33 item scale (Lorig et al. 1996). The 6-item scale was developed so it would be less burdensome for patients. The 6- item scale covers areas of symptom control, role function, emotional functioning and communicating with physicians.

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026