title: Comparing individual and group intervention for psychological adjustment in people with multiple sclerosis: a feasibility randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To modify a published group intervention for adjustment to multiple sclerosis (MS) to suit an individual format, and to assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to compare individual and group intervention for people with multiple sclerosis and low mood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Feasibility randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited through healthcare professionals at a hospital-based multiple sclerosis service and the MS Society.
  
  
  METHODS
  People with multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adjustment to multiple sclerosis in individual or group delivery format.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed mood and quality of life assessments at baseline and at four-month follow-up. Measures of feasibility included: recruitment rate, acceptability of randomisation and the intervention (content and format), and whether the intervention could be adapted for individual delivery. Participants were screened for inclusion using the General Health Questionnaire-12 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and were randomly allocated to receive either individual or group intervention, with the same content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one participants were recruited (mean age 48.5 years, SD 10.5) and were randomly allocated to individual (n=11) or group (n=10) intervention. Of those offered individual treatment, nine (82%) completed all six sessions. Of those allocated to group intervention, two (20%) attended all six sessions and three (30%) attended five sessions. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on the outcome measures of mood and quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention could be provided on an individual basis and the trial design was feasible. There were lower attendance rates at group sessions compared to individual sessions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rehabilitation & Ageing, University of Nottingham, UK roshan.nair@nottingham.ac.uk.|Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Roshan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: das Nair
authors.affiliation: Division of Rehabilitation & Ageing, University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Eirini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kontou
authors.affiliation: Division of Rehabilitation & Ageing, University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smale
authors.affiliation: Division of Rehabilitation & Ageing, University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.affiliation: Division of Rehabilitation & Ageing, University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Nadina B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Lincoln
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D000066498:Emotional Adjustment; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; adjustment; cognitive behavioural therapy; randomized controlled trial