PrEliMS2 v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Providing Emotional Support Around the Point of Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis: PrEliMS 2
IRAS ID
302587
Contact name
Roshan das Nair
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Emotional support following Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis is not part of the current service provision. However, research has identified a need for this as poor adjustment to diagnosis has been linked to higher levels of psychological distress.
A previous study, named ‘Providing Emotional Support Around the Point of MS Diagnosis’ (PrEliMS), explored how best to provide support. People with MS completed a self-help workbook, alongside receiving support from MS nurses. The workbook is based on a psychological therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and was developed through focus groups of people with MS, relevant stakeholders, and clinical expertise. In this study, issues were found with parts of the workbook content and delivery. Nurses found it difficult to facilitate this alongside their usual MS Nurse care and felt psychological distress was not within their remit.
In this study, we will
• explore how effective the PrEliMS workbook is at reducing distress from MS diagnosis, when delivered by a Psychology Practitioner (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)
• compare delivery by a Psychology Practitioner with the data from the Nurse delivered PrEliMS trial to explore which is more effective
• revise the workbook based on feedback from participants and what was learnt from the PrEliMS feasibility trial, to improve patient experience.We will recruit seven people from an MS clinic who have received an MS diagnosis in the last 6-months and consent to taking part. Participants will meet with a Psychology Practitioner (over the phone or online) once a week for four weeks, alongside completing the workbook. We will also ask participants to complete questionnaires to examine their levels of psychological distress. Interviews will then be conducted to get feedback for refining the workbook. The procedure will then be repeated with the refined workbook and seven newly recruited participants.
The overall study will last a year.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0034
Date of REC Opinion
8 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion