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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
A Protocol for the Use of Remotely-Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Published on: December 26, 2015
A randomised controlled trial of lay-led self-management for people with multiple sclerosis
Julie Barlow1, Andy Turner, Rhiannon Edwards
1Self Management Programme, Applied Research Centre in Health & Lifestyle Interventions, UK. j.barlow@coventry.ac.uk
Objective:
To determine the impact of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Course (CDSMC) on people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods:
2-group, randomised, controlled trial with Intervention Group (IG) and Waiting-List Control Group (WLCG). Additional data were collected from a Comparison Group (CG) who chose not to attend the CDSMC. Participants completed baseline questionnaires; IG participants attended the CDSMC immediately; all participants were assessed at 4-months and 12-months.
Results:
216 baseline questionnaires were returned; 73% were female, mean age 51.1 years, mean disease duration 12.0 years. Results showed that the CDSMC had an impact on self-management self-efficacy (ES 0.30, p=0.009 for the IG) and MSIS physical status (ES 0.12 for the IG, p=0.005). There were no other statistically significant changes. However, trends towards improvement on depression (ES 0.21 for the IG, p=0.05) and MS self-efficacy (ES 0.16 for the IG, p=0.04) were noted. All improvements were maintained at 12-months. At baseline, CG participants were older, had longer disease duration (p<0.01) and less anxiety (p=0.009) compared to RCT participants.
Conclusion:
The CDSMC provides some small positive effects for people with MS. Motivation to attend may be linked to psychological distress and disease duration.
Practice Implications:
The CDSMC may be of value for those with mild anxiety/depression who need extra support. Attendance early in the disease course is recommended.
