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The Impact of Health Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis: A Replication and Treatment Case Series
Neil Carrigan1, Leon Dysch2, Paul M Salkovskis1
1Department of Psychology,University of Bath,Claverton Down,Bath BA2 7AY.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is commonly associated with psychological complications. Previous research by Hayter and colleagues (2016) found that in patients with MS, health anxiety (HA) can account for part of the variance in quality of life (QoL) independent of physical and cognitive impairment caused by the disease. MS patients with HA perceived their intact physical and cognitive performance as impaired relative to those without HA and attributed the impairment to MS. These misperceptions might be useful targets in the treatment of HA in MS using cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
Aims:
Study 1 sought to replicate the main findings from Hayter et al. (2016). Study 2 examined the impact of HA-focused CBT in a case series.
Method:
In Study 1, twenty participants with MS were screened for HA and assigned to either a high or low HA group. They completed assessments of cognitive and physical functioning before rating their performance on these tasks, followed by measures of QoL, mood and physical disability. Four participants in the high HA group subsequently received six sessions of CBT using a consecutive AB case series in Study 2.
Results:
Study 1 replicated the main findings from the earlier study. In Study 2, three of the four patients who received treatment showed substantial improvements in HA and mood and all showed improvement in QoL.
Conclusion:
Given the high rates of HA in MS patients and its impact on QoL, this case series suggests that a brief CBT intervention could significantly improve patients' wellbeing.
Insights
Health anxiety (HA) significantly impacts quality of life (QoL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. A brief cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) intervention showed promise in improving HA, mood, and QoL for MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neurology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is frequently linked with psychological issues, notably health anxiety (HA).
- Previous research indicates HA influences Quality of Life (QoL) in MS patients, independent of physical and cognitive deficits.
- MS patients with HA may misperceive their functional abilities, attributing intact performance to disease-related impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate findings on the relationship between HA and QoL in MS patients.
- To investigate the efficacy of a health anxiety-focused cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) intervention in a case series of MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Study 1 involved 20 MS participants screened for HA, divided into high and low HA groups, assessing cognitive/physical functioning, QoL, mood, and disability.
- Participants rated their performance post-assessment, comparing perceived versus actual functioning.
- Study 2 utilized a consecutive AB case series design, with four high HA participants receiving six CBT sessions.
Main Results:
- Study 1 successfully replicated the key findings of the prior research.
- In Study 2, three out of four participants receiving CBT demonstrated significant improvements in HA and mood.
- All participants in Study 2 showed enhanced QoL following the CBT intervention.
Conclusions:
- Health anxiety is prevalent in MS and negatively affects patient QoL.
- A brief, targeted CBT intervention appears effective in improving psychological wellbeing for MS patients experiencing HA.
- Cognitive misperceptions related to HA in MS are potential therapeutic targets for CBT.
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