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COPE-EMBRACE: Coping with stress after encephalitis using real-time assessment.
K Fifield1, R Thomas1, E Dawe-Lane2
1Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
|February 17, 2026
Summary
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is feasible for tracking mood and coping in adults post-encephalitis. This method reveals links between coping styles and depression, offering potential for stress management interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Encephalitis can lead to acquired brain injury, causing cognitive deficits, fatigue, and increased daily stress.
- Understanding real-time stress coping mechanisms and their link to depression in post-encephalitis populations is limited.
- Traditional self-report assessments have limitations; Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) offers a potential solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of collecting EMA data on mood and coping in adults post-encephalitis.
- To explore the relationship between coping styles and depression levels over time using EMA data.
- To identify barriers and facilitators to EMA use in this population.
Main Methods:
- Twenty adults post-encephalitis completed daily and self-initiated EMA for mood and coping over four months.
- A linear mixed-effects model analyzed the relationship between coping and depression.
- Framework analysis of post-study interviews assessed the acceptability of the m-Path app and EMA procedures.
Main Results:
- High average daily compliance (79.3%) demonstrated EMA feasibility, though self-initiated EMA use was low.
- Significant relationships were found between individual coping styles and depression levels over time.
- Qualitative analysis revealed two key themes: encephalitis's impact on stress response and EMA experiences (barriers/facilitators).
- The m-Path app and daily mood monitoring via EMA were found acceptable.
Conclusions:
- Long-term daily EMA is feasible for monitoring mood and coping in adults with encephalitis.
- Patient and public involvement is recommended for refining EMA suitability.
- Adapted EMA could serve as a valuable psychological intervention for stress coping in daily life post-encephalitis.
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