Dyadic psychosocial interventions in couples facing multiple sclerosis: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) presents significant challenges impacting both individual well-being and relationship dynamics for affected couples.
• Limited research exists on dyadic interventions specifically designed to support couples coping with MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review clinical studies on dyadic interventions for couples affected by MS.
• To evaluate the impact of these interventions on partnership quality, sexual rehabilitation, quality of life (QoL), and psychological well-being.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, Web of Science) was conducted.
• Included randomized (RCT) and nonrandomized controlled trials published up to November 2024.

Main Results:

• Eight studies involving 4,185 couples were included, with females comprising 60-80% of those with MS.
• Dyadic interventions indicated potential benefits in partnership quality, sexual rehabilitation, and QoL, with improved communication skills being a critical factor.
• Methodological limitations and heterogeneity across studies restricted comparability.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant gap in dyadic-focused intervention research for couples impacted by MS.
• Further high-quality RCTs with standardized outcomes are essential to establish the efficacy of these interventions.