Telephone-administered cognitive–behavioral therapy for the treatment of depressive symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of an 8-week telephone-administered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of depressive symptomatology in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The treatment, Coping with MS (CMS), included a patient workbook designed to structure the treatment, provide visual aids, and help with homework assignments. Thirty-two patients with MS, who scored at least 15 on the Profile of Mood States Depression-Dejection scale, were randomly assigned to either the telephone CMS or to a usual-care control (UCC) condition. Depressive symptomatology decreased significantly in the CMS condition compared with the UCC condition. Furthermore, adherence to interferon beta-1a, a disease-modifying medication for the treatment of MS, was significantly better at the 4-month follow-up among patients who received CMS as compared with those in the UCC condition.

Psychiatric Issues in Multiple Sclerosis

“…Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of CBT for treatment of major depressive disorder among persons with MS. [52][53] In these studies, response rates to CBT have been equal to or higher than response rates to antidepressant medications or to other psychotherapy modalities, with response rates approaching 50% of patients. [52] Moreover, attrition is typically very low for the CBT intervention in these trials (5%).…”

“…[52] Moreover, attrition is typically very low for the CBT intervention in these trials (5%). Recent studies have also shown that CBT delivered by telephone is an effective form of psychotherapy for depression in MS relative to usual care [53] and relative to a telephone delivered supportive emotion-focused therapy. [54] Attrition was also low for the telephone delivered interventions, and in one study, adherence to MS disease-modifying medications was significantly better at follow-up among those who participated in the telephone CBT.…”

An online programme to reduce depression in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial

“…For example, psychotherapy delivered by phone has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis. 16,17 Such approaches, however, still require availability of a trained psychotherapist.…”

The Effectiveness of Telemental Health Applications: A Review

“…[29][30][31] Six of 8 studies that used telephone-based approaches showed TMH to be successful, but with a need for follow-up study. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38] One study indicated TMH was unsuccessful, 39 and results from another were unclear. 40 A high-quality RCT found that treatment of depression by telepsychiatry and face-to-face intervention had comparable outcomes.…”