Peer support impact on therapeutic adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis: a mixed-methods pilot trial...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Clinical Trials
• Patient Support

Background:

• Patient partnership is crucial for patient-centered care.
• Individual peer support can enhance patient quality of life and treatment adherence.
• The benefits of peer support for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients remain unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of healthcare-integrated individual peer support for MS patients.
• To evaluate the feasibility of conducting a large-scale efficacy trial for peer support interventions in MS.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods pilot clinical trial (PAIR-SEP study) involving 60 relapsing-remitting MS patients.
• Randomization to usual care or usual care plus three individual peer support sessions over 5 months.
• Quantitative assessment of adherence, quality of life, anxiety, depression, and social support; qualitative assessment of acceptability and feasibility via interviews and focus groups.

Main Results:

• This section is to be filled once the study is completed and results are available.

Conclusions:

• This section is to be filled once the study is completed and results are available.