Evaluating the Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Online Psychological Intervention Targeting Problem-Solving and Coping Strategies in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Official Summary

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, often leading to unpredictable symptoms and significant emotional distress. Many people with MS experience anxiety, depression, and difficulties in coping with the challenges of the disease. Research has shown that effective coping-especially problem-focused coping-can reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life. However, access to psychological care can be limited, particularly in low-resource or mobility-restricted settings.This study, conducted at the Nehme and Therese Tohme Multiple Sclerosis Center at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an eight-week, online psychological intervention designed to enhance problem-solving and coping strategies in adults with MS living in Lebanon.The primary objective was to determine whether an online problem-solving coping strategies (PCS) intervention is feasible, acceptable, and well-tolerated for people with MS. The secondary objective was to assess the intervention's preliminary effects on problem-focused coping, depression, and anxiety.

Study Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: NONE
• Enrollment: 30 participants

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL: Problem-Solving Coping Strategies (PCS) Intervention — This intervention is unique in that it delivers a structured, psychologist-guided problem-solving and coping program entirely via WhatsApp video calls, a widely accessible and low-cost platform in Lebanon and the MENA region. Unlike most telehealth or cognitive-behavioral interventions that rely on specialized software, this program was developed in Arabic and culturally adapted for adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) to address psychosocial stress, depression, and anxiety within local contexts.
• OTHER: Treatment as usual (TAU) — Standard neurological and nursing care, including regular medical follow-up, medication management, and rehabilitation or physical therapy as clinically indicated. No structured psychotherapy provided.

Primary Outcomes

• Feasibility and Acceptability of the Online Problem-Solving Coping Strategies (PCS) Intervention (• Recruitment rate (% of eligible patients enrolled) - 4 months • Retention and session adherence (completion of ≥6/8 sessions) - 8 weeks • Participant satisfaction using the Feasibility Questionnaire (score range: 13-65; 8weeks))

Secondary Outcomes

• Preliminary Effectiveness of the Online Problem-Solving Coping Strategies (PCS) Intervention (Assessments were completed at baseline and at 8 weeks following the intervention. • Change in Problem-Focused Coping (Brief-COPE subscale) baseline to 8 weeks)

Trial Locations

• American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

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