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Emotion Regulation Skills Training for Individuals With MS and Their Support Partners

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Multiple Sclerosis
Interventions
Behavioral: PERSIST
Behavioral: Facilitated Peer Support
Registration Number
NCT03934489
Lead Sponsor
Johns Hopkins University
Brief Summary

This pilot randomized controlled trial investigates a novel, group-based emotion regulation skills training intervention for reducing anxious and depressive symptomatology and improving emotion regulation and problem solving in individuals with MS and the individual's support partners. Participants will be randomized (1:1) to the intervention ("Partnered Emotion Regulation Skills Intervention and Supportive Teaching \[PERSIST\]") or to the active control (Facilitated Peer Support).

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • at least 18 years old
  • able to speak/read in English
  • able to commit to attending at least 9 of the 12 weekly group sessions
  • individuals with MS must be relapse/exacerbation-free for at least 1 month
  • support partners must score at least 8 on the HADS-D or HADS-A
  • individuals with MS must score a least 11 on the HADS-D or HADS-A
Exclusion Criteria
  • under 18 years old
  • unable to speak/read in English
  • unable to commit to attending at least 9 of the 12 weekly group sessions
  • MS relapse within 1 month

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PERSISTPERSISTParticipants will receive Partnered Emotion Regulation Skills Intervention and Support.
Facilitated Peer SupportFacilitated Peer SupportParticipants will undergo a 12-week group intervention, adapted from community-based peer support groups, that focuses on participant-generated topics and facilitated discussion.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Depression Subscale score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D)Baseline, 13 and 26 weeks

The HADS-D is a 7-item subscale of the HADS that measures depressive symptomatology. Scores range from 0 to 21 points (each item is rated 0-4), with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptomatology.

Change in Anxiety Subscale score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A)Baseline, 13 and 26 weeks

The HADS-A is a 7-item subscale of the HADS that measures anxious symptomatology. Scores range from 0 to 21 points (each item is rated 0-4), with higher scores indicating greater anxious symptomatology.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) scoreBaseline, 13 weeks, and 26 weeks

The ZBI is a 22-item self-report measure of caregiver burden. Scores range from 0 to 88 (each item is rated 0-4), with higher scores indicating greater burden.

Change in Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16) scoreBaseline, 13 and 26 weeks

The DERS-16 is a 16-item self-report measures that assesses difficulties with managing negative emotions, distress, and impulsivity. Scores range from 16 to 80 points (each item is rated 1-5), with higher scores indicating greater emotional dysregulation.

Change in Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) scoreBaseline, 13 and 26 weeks

The PSI is a 32-item self-report instrument designed to assess perceived problem solving abilities. Scores range from 32 to 192 points (each item is rated 1-6), with higher scores indicating greater difficulty with problem solving.

Change in RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scoreBaseline, 13 weeks, and 26 weeks

The SF-36 is a 36-item self-report measure of health-related quality of life. The scale is divided into 8 subscales, each ranging from 0 to 100 points, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Johns Hopkins University

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

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