Evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of an integrative group psychological intervention for people with Multiple Sclerosis: A study protocol

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is characterised by significant symptom diversity and complexity. The unpredictability of the symptoms and the emotional and cognitive facets of the disease have a significant impact on the patients’ quality of life, relationships and other significant areas of living. Psychological interventions have been found to have moderate effects on quality of life, depression, stress reduction, improvement of wellbeing, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbances and emotion regulation. Most interventions so far are based on generic models of therapy which cannot always cover the complexity and unpredictability of MS. The present research project follows from an exploratory mixed method study on the experience of psychological interventions and the impact on the management of MS. The results of that study generated themes that led to the development of an integrative group psychological intervention named MyMS-Ally. The current study aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of MyMS-Ally intervention and obtain preliminary data on the effects on quality of life, emotion regulation, depression and anxiety through the application of a convergent mixed methods design. People with MS will be recruited at the Bristol and Avon Multiple Sclerosis centre, North Bristol NHS Trust. They will participate in MyMS-Ally group intervention for 8 weeks. Individual semi-structured interviews drawing on Interpretative Phenomenological methodology will be conducted before and after the intervention and at three months follow up. Participants will complete quantitative measures on quality of life, emotion regulation, depression and anxiety before and after the intervention and at one and three months follow up. The aim is to explore the relevance, sustainability and adherence to the intervention and study processes (feasibility) as well as the appropriateness of the intervention based on the emotional and cognitive responses, satisfaction and perceived effectiveness (acceptability). It is aspired that this patient-centred psychological intervention will address needs and preferences of people with MS. The results of the present study will provide data for further development of the intervention and will lead to a big scale evaluation study.