AUTHOR=Poli Silvia , Donisi Valeria , Mazzi Maria Angela , Gobbin Francesca , Giusto Giorgia , Orlandi Riccardo , Schena Federico , Del Piccolo Lidia , das Nair Roshan , Gajofatto Alberto , Rimondini Michela 

TITLE=Fostering quality of life in young adults living with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study of a co-created integrated intervention

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1342166

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1342166

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Introduction</title><p>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally diagnosed at an early age, making the acceptance of this chronic disease challenging. Research dedicated to young adults with MS (YawMS) is still limited. A biopsychosocial co-created intervention for YawMS integrating social, physical and psychological activities was developed (ESPRIMO intervention) in order to improve the quality of life (QoL) and well-being. This pre-post intervention assessment study examines the feasibility of the ESPRIMO intervention and its signal of efficacy.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>Inclusion criteria were: age 18–45 years, MS diagnosis, Expanded Disability Status Scale score &lt; 3.5. After giving informed consent, YawMS completed a battery of questionnaires, which was repeated after the intervention. The battery included a bespoke feasibility scale, the COOP/WONCA charts, and the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12).</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>Fifty-three YAwMS were enrolled and 43 (81.1%) completed the intervention. The majority of the sample positively rated the pleasantness, usefulness and feasibility of the intervention. A significant change in the COOP/WONCA “general QoL” chart (<italic>t</italic> = 3.65; <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) and SF-12 mental wellbeing component (<italic>t</italic> = −3.17; <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) was found.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Discussion</title><p>ESPRIMO is an innovative intervention that is feasible; preliminary results show an improvement in QoL and mental wellbeing. Further studies are needed to test its efficacy and evaluate future implementation in health services.</p><p><bold>Clinical trial registration</bold>: <ext-link xlink:href="https://ClinicalTrials.gov" ext-link-type="uri" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">ClinicalTrials.gov</ext-link>, NCT04431323.</p></sec>