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Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

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    January 2021 Board of Governors Meeting

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  • Research & Results
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  • Comparing a Multiple Sclerosis Fatigu...

Comparing a Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Management Course Delivered via Teleconference, Internet, or in Person

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Project Summary  

PCORI has identified multiple sclerosis (MS) as an important research topic. Patients, clinicians, and others want to learn how different treatment strategies, aimed at changing specific symptoms or the overall course of MS, affect patients’ symptoms and quality of life.  To address this issue, PCORI launched a funding initiative in 2015 on Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. This research project is one of the studies PCORI awarded as part this program.

COVID-19-Related Project Enhancement

Unpaid caregivers, such as family or friends, provide physical and emotional support for patients in the home or remotely. During COVID-19, caregiving can be hard. Caregivers need to protect themselves and those they care for from COVID-19. As a result, caregivers may have mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety, and both patients and caregivers may have worse health outcomes.

With this enhancement, the research team will compare two ways to improve mental health of unpaid caregivers for people with multiple sclerosis:

  • A coaching program offered via video with four sessions over six weeks
  • A web-only program that caregivers complete on their own

After the study, the research team will share results and make the web-only program available for free.

Enhancement Award Amount: $490,000

This research project is in progress. PCORI will post the research findings on this page within 90 days after the results are final.

What is the research about?

About 400,000 Americans have multiple sclerosis, or MS. Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of MS. Fatigue can keep people from doing a job or hobby or from spending time with family or friends. Fatigue management courses help patients learn skills to manage their fatigue.

In this study, the research team is comparing three ways to deliver a fatigue management course: by teleconference, by internet, and in person. The team is also testing the formats for different groups of people, such as people in racial minority groups and people who live in rural places.

Who can this research help?

Results from this study may help healthcare providers decide how to provide a fatigue management course for patients with MS. Results may also help patients with MS and their doctors choose the best way for the patients to take part in such a course.

What is the research team doing?

The research team is recruiting 610 adults with MS from community organizations and outpatient clinics. The team is assigning adults, by chance, to receive a seven-week course in fatigue management via teleconference or internet or in person (one-on-one). People in the course are learning skills like how to set goals, take rest breaks, and find ways to save energy. An occupational therapist is leading the course in all formats. The research team is comparing how the three formats affect fatigue and quality of life for patients with MS.

Patients with MS, caregivers, neurologists, and occupational therapists are helping to recruit patients and collect data.

Research methods at a glance

Design Elements Description
Design Randomized controlled trial
Population Adults 18 years of age and older with MS and a Fatigue Severity scale score ≥4
Interventions/
Comparators
  • MS fatigue management course delivered via teleconference
  • MS fatigue management course delivered via internet
  • MS fatigue management course delivered in person
Outcomes

Primary: fatigue

Secondary: quality of life

Timeframe 6-month follow-up for primary outcome

Project Details

Principal Investigator
Matthew A. Plow, PhD
Project Status
In progress; Recruiting
Project Title
Comparing the Effectiveness of Fatigue Management Programs for People with MS
Board Approval Date
September 2017
Project End Date
August 2023
Organization
Case Western Reserve University
Year Awarded
2017
State
Ohio
Project Type
Research Project
Health Conditions  
Mental/Behavioral Health
Depression
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Neurological Disorders
Multiple Sclerosis
Intervention Strategies
Other Clinical Interventions
Care Coordination
Other Health Services Interventions
Technology Interventions
Training and Education Interventions
Populations
Individuals with Disabilities
Individuals with Multiple Chronic/co-morbid Conditions
Low Health Literacy/Numeracy
Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Rural
Women
Funding Announcement
COVID-19-Related Project Enhancement
Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Project Budget
$5,359,759
Study Registration Information
HSRP20181651
NCT03550170
Page Last Updated: 
January 12, 2021

Research & Results

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Research & Results

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  • Putting Evidence to Work
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  • About Our Research

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Meetings & Events

February 2
PCORI 2021 and Beyond: Opportunities for Funding and Involvement in Patient-Centered Research
February 9
Board of Governors Meeting: February 9, 2021
February 11
Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement Winter 2021 Meeting

PCORI

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Patient-Centered Outcomes
Research Institute

1828 L Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 827-7700 | Fax: (202) 355-9558
[email protected]

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