Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Feasibility and outcome of a web-based self-help intervention for depressive symptoms in patients with multiple
Rosa E Boeschoten1, Magdalena M Nieuwenhuis, Patricia van Oppen
1Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center and GGZinGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.boeschoten@ggzingeest.nl
Background:
Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Web-based problem solving therapy (PST) is easily accessible and showed to be effective in depressed patients.
Objectives:
The aims of this pilot study were to examine feasibility and outcome (reduction of depressive symptoms) of an applied web-based PST intervention in MS patients.
Methods:
Forty-four MS patients with mild to severe depressive symptoms followed a web-based PST intervention. Feasibility was measured by compliance rate and satisfaction scales. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to measure depressive symptoms before and after the intervention.
Results:
The compliance rate was 52%, and 85% of the patients rated the quality of the intervention as good or excellent. After the intervention, depressive symptoms had significantly decreased (BDI-II change: mean=-3.9, p=0.01, d=0.51 in intention-to-treat analysis; BDI-II change: mean=-9.0, p<0.001, d=1.50 in completers analysis).
Conclusions:
This study suggests that applied web-based PST is feasible and reduces depressive symptoms in MS patients. Especially MS patients who experience disease-related or other barriers to participate in face-to-face counselling could benefit. However, ways to increase compliance should be considered. A randomized controlled trial is recommended to more extensively investigate effectiveness of this intervention in treating depressive symptoms in MS patients.