depressive disorder Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Conditions
Interventions
In view of the findings described above, the obvious next step is to use the
Internet as a medium in providing an accessible treatment that has proven
effective in patients with depressive disorders
website:
allesondercontrole.psy.vu.nl). This intervention takes up little time and is
based on what is known as *problem-solving treatment*, comprising a cognitive
behavioural therapy self-help int
their answers are then used to create an inventory of problems currently
affecting them in their lives. These problems are subsequently placed into one
of three different categories: unimportant pro
important and resolvable
problems (these problems are resolved using the six-step problem-solving
method) and important but irresolvable problems (for example, a lost loved-one
these problems are addressed by means of a specially designed plan for learning
to cope with the loss). Dutch and international studies alike have found the
intervention to be effective in the treat
Sponsors
Vrije Universiteit Medisch Centrum
Eligibility
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Patients (minimum age 18) from the MS centre of the VU medical centre can take part if they: 1) are diagnosed with MS 3 months befor the screening and 2) are able to manage the Dutch language. Inclusion criteria for the intervention are: 1) a minimum score of 16 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the intention and capability to invest 5 weeks of their time to follow a selfhelp intervention through the internet.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: No access to Internet or no email-address, no experience with Internet, unable to read, current use of antidepressants or other treatment of depression, current suicidal ideation.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Effect measurements will be taken at 0 weeks (first measurement) and upon conclusion of the treatment at five weeks (last measurement). The primary outcome measure is the BDI, which will be used to measure the reduction in the severity of the depression. We will register the willingness of the MS-patients to participate in the web-based treatment. In addition, we will analyse the specific composition of the group of patients who are willing to participate. During the intervention we will keep track of work-progress, work-pace and activity of the patients. These data will be summarized to analyze the compliance of patients with the intervention. After the intervention (5 weeks) patient satisfaction with the care received will be assessed by means of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) (De Brey 1983). We will also ask the participating subjects to complete a brief survey in which they are asked to share their experiences, opinions and any suggestions for enhancing the intervention. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| A number of secondary outcome measures will also be employed, including the EuroQol, which measures the degree of impairment and the quality of life (Dolan 1999) and the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 26 (SF-36), which measures health status (Freeman et al. 2000). Symptoms of anxiety will be assesed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scales (HADS). | — |
Countries
Netherlands
Outcome results
None listed