Department of Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Australia
Commentary
Intervening Early for Symptoms of Depression in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Author(s): Harvey James* and Jennie Lucifer
In recent years, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged as a successful intervention for alleviating depressive symptoms in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), offering both in-person and internet-based options. Stefan M. Gold and colleagues conducted a parallel-group trial featured in The Lancet Digital Health, evaluating the efficacy of an Internet Based CBT (iCBT) program tailored for MS patients. This program, comprising ten modules and a summary module, demonstrated effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II, with both therapist-guided and stand-alone formats. Importantly, these reductions were sustained at the 12-month follow-up.
iCBT interventions hold promise for improving the quality of life for MS patients by addressing depressive symptoms. Additionally, they may impact the disease trajectory, reduce.. View More»