Online therapy programme for fatigue in multiple sclerosis

ISRCTN ISRCTN25692173
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN25692173
Secondary identifying numbers P1130079
Submission date
08/04/2014
Registration date
06/06/2014
Last edited
21/03/2018
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
We intend to study the effectiveness of a psychotherapy-based online program to treat tiredness (fatigue) (ELEVIDA). It is based on a conceptualized model of fatigue and consists of eight modules. The programme will last for 8 weeks. The major aim is to reduce fatigue symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Who can participate?
Patients with multiple sclerosis who have access to internet

What does the study involve?
Patients will be randomly allocated to two groups: one group will receive the training right away and the other group (wait-list) will receive the training after the study is completed. The study involves psychological and nervous-response-related assessment before and after the training programme, and includes participation in a modern web-based intervention to treat fatigue over 8 weeks. The programme is developed in line with internationally accepted psychological therapy concepts.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The benefits would be a reduction of fatigue symptoms and to find ways to cope better with fatigue impairment. Risks are not expected.

Where is the study run from?
The study runs via the internet and is managed in University Medical Centre Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study starts in July 2014 and runs until May 2016

Who is funding the study?
Hertie Foundation (Gemeinnützige Hertie Stiftung) (Germany)

Who is the main contact?
Prof Christoph Heesen
heesen@uke.de

Contact information

Prof Christoph Heesen
Scientific

Martinistr. 52
Hamburg
20246
Germany

Email heesen@uke.de

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleEffectiveness of a fatigue management programme for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Study acronymELEVIDA
Study hypothesisThe study follows 3 major aims:
1. To show effectiveness of an online program to treat fatigue in MS with a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach based on the concept of Van Kessel (2009).
2. To show that improvement of fatigue will also improve cognitive performance (attention) as well as anxiety and depression.
3. To show that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) connectivity measures (i.e. DTI and resting state fMRI) will change by the intervention.

We will further try to explore predictors and mediating factors of the intervention by the following hypotheses:
1. The intervention will change avoidance behavior and cognitive variables of illness perception (e.g.. symptom focussing).
2. Personality traits are predictive for treatment success.
Ethics approval(s)Ethics Committee of the Hamburg Chamber of Physicians, July 2014, PV 4772
ConditionMultiple Sclerosis (MS)
InterventionA pure online randomised-wait-list-control study with a subgroup undergoing clinical examination and MRI. Screening of suitable patients will be performed by checking fatigue scores in the Hamburg Quality of Life in MS fatigue subscale (HAQUAMS, Gold 2001) in the database of the UMC. Patients scoring >= 2 will be contacted. Patients have to apply for the study via a web-based tool provided by the University of Hamburg (see www.unipark.com) which we also applied in the depression study.
Patients fulfilling inclusion criteria based on data-input on the website will be randomised to the intervention group (IG) and the wait-list control group (CG).
1. IG participants will get a personal access code to the training tool.
2. Participants in the waiting list group will get information about their option to enter the FATIMA programme after the study. They will also get a brief explanation about the need for control groups in randomized controlled trials.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureFatigue as measured by the Chalder Fatigue Scale (Cella & Chalder et al., 2010). Pre-post training comparisons immediately after the training and 3 months later will be calculated.
Secondary outcome measures1. Fatigue: FSMC (Penner et al., 2009)
2. Anxiety and depression: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, Zigmond & Snaith, 1983)
3. Quality of life: Hamburg Quality of Life Questionnaire in MS (HAQUAMS, Gold et al., 2001)
4. Cognitive self assessment: Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ, Benedict et al., 2003)
Exploratory:
5. Cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms questionnaire (Skerett & Moss-Morris, 2006)
6. Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Broadbent et al., 2006)
7. Coping Self Efficacy Scale (CSES, Chesney et al., 2006)
8. Activity of daily life: Frenchay Activity Index (Turnbull et al., 2000)
9. Personality: Revised NEO Personality Inventory (Costa & McCrae,1992)
Overall study start date01/07/2014
Overall study end date26/05/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants204
Participant inclusion criteria1. Definite MS according to McDonald criteria (Polman et al., 2010), relapsing-remitting (RR), primary and secondary-progressive (SP) MS course
2. Ability to answer read texts and to answer questionnaires via the internet
3. Fatigue-Scale-Motor-Cognition (FSMC) total fatigue score >= 43
4. Internet equipment at home (PC with internet access)
5. Interest to attend (agreement)
Participant exclusion criteria1. Unclear diagnosis
2. Neuromyelitis optica
3. Major psychiatric disease (f.e. psychotic disease, but we will allow depressive disorders)
Recruitment start date01/07/2014
Recruitment end date01/11/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Germany

Study participating centre

Martinistr. 52
Hamburg
20246
Germany

Sponsor information

Hertie Foundation (Germany) (Gemeinnützige Hertie Stiftung)
Research organisation

Grüneburgweg 105
Frankfurt
60323
Germany

Email KochE@ghst.de
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03ak9vt35

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

Hertie Foundation (Germany) (Gemeinnützige Hertie Stiftung) Ref: P1130079
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Alternative name(s)
Hertie-Stiftung
Location
Germany

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/09/2018 Yes No

Editorial Notes

21/03/2018: Publication reference added.

27/04/2016: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Ethics approval information added.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 31/05/2016 to 26/05/2015.

26/06/2014: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The target number of participants was changed from 140 to 204.
2. The overall trial start date was changed from 01/06/2014 to 01/07/2014.

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