SUNLIGHT Study: Online Support Groups for MS to Address COVID-19

NCT04379661 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AAAS9939
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Stress and anxiety can have an adverse impact on health, and the experience of many around the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 is affecting health and well-being. Individuals with chronic disease such as multiple sclerosis may be particularly vulnerable in some ways, but also particularly resilient in others. This study evaluates the effects of belonging to online support groups that meet weekly for 12 weeks to address the stress and anxiety felt by individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This study will also measure and explore the effects of online support groups.

Conditions

MS (Multiple Sclerosis); COVID-19; Support Groups

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Rate of completion

  Acceptable rate is defined as at least 66% of participants who complete follow-up surveys.

  Up to 12 weeks

• Rate of adherence

  Acceptable rate is defined as at least 66% of sessions being attended.

  Up to 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Score on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)

  Up to 12 weeks

Other Outcomes (1)

• Score on the Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-8)

  Up to 12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Online support group

EXPERIMENTAL

Online weekly 1-hour moderated support group sessions for 12-weeks; participants complete surveys at baseline and 12-week follow-up

Behavioral: Online support Group

Treatment as usual

NO INTERVENTION

Inactive control group of participants who complete surveys at baseline and 12-weeks later

Interventions

Online support Group BEHAVIORAL

12 one-hour, once-weekly online support groups for people with Multiple Sclerosis to address anxiety related to the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects on them.

Online support group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• MS Diagnosis
• years or older

You may not qualify if:

• None

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Columbia University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Columbia University Medical Center

New York, New York, 10032, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis; COVID-19

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Respiratory Tract Infections; Infections; Virus Diseases; Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases

Study Officials

• Victoria Leavitt, PhD

  Columbia University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Neuropsychology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2020
• First Posted: May 7, 2020
• Study Start: May 7, 2020
• Primary Completion: July 7, 2020
• Study Completion: August 31, 2020
• Last Updated: January 8, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)