Behavioural Activation for Low mood in Multiple Sclerosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Behavioural Activation for Low mood in Multiple Sclerosis (BALMS)
IRAS ID
254182
Contact name
Nima Moghaddam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Lincoln
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 28 days
Research summary
Title: Behavioural Activation for Low mood in Multiple Sclerosis
The study will be sponsored by the University of Lincoln, indemnity will be provided by U M Association Limited.Depression is highly prevalent among people with Multiple Sclerosis. More specifically, as the disease progresses, people are more likely to develop depression and there is limited evidence of suitable interventions in this group. There are few studies that investigate the most appropriate duration, delivery modality, or individual adaptations for therapy for people with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. This is problematic because continued reduction in physical and cognitive ability, combined with greater incidence of depression, may make accessing and engaging in therapies difficult.
Behavioural activation is a technique used as a component of psychotherapy. Behavioural activation aims to reduce behaviours that maintain or exacerbate depression by promoting counteracting behaviours, using strategies such as activity monitoring and scheduling.
However, there is no research looking in-depth at the underlying processes. Therefore, this research aims to explore the feasibility and efficacy of behavioural activation by:
• Adapting an existing behavioural activation manual into five sessions, suitable for people with secondary progressive MS.
• Examining if behavioural activation is followed by phases of change that are considered to predict later therapeutic outcome and to determine whether behavioural activation accounts for changes observed.Up to ten participants from Nottingham University Hospitals will be recruited. Participants will be briefed on the research aims and consent will be obtained before commencing the intervention. The project will follow a multiple baseline single-case experimental design. Participants will complete weekly outcome measures that aim to observe low mood, quality of life, and adherence to behavioural activation and alignment with individual's values. Following five to six contact sessions, participants will take part in a follow-up interview. Participants will then be debriefed.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0013
Date of REC Opinion
4 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion