Abstract Details

Title A Digital Tele-Health Intervention for Anxiety and Stress Management in Younger Patients with MS

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) MS and CNS Inflammatory Disease Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 180

Objective

To test the feasibility of a remotely delivered digital telehealth intervention targeting anxiety and stress in patients with pediatric onset MS.

Background Pediatric onset (<18 years) occurs in approximately 3% of MS cases, representing the youngest affected subpopulation. Emotional distress commonly occurs in MS, and there is a need for accessible and effective interventions. Personal Zen is an app-based version of the established intervention for cognitive bias retraining.

Design/Methods

Participants with confirmed pediatric onset MS were recruited for this tele-intervention during routine in-person or video outpatient visits during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were provided the Personal Zen app for installation, trained on its use, and instructed to train daily (>4 times a week) x four weeks. Measures of anxiety and stress were administered at baseline and repeated weekly.

Results

A total n=22 participants (86.4% female, age 17.95 ± 1.94, range 15 to 23 years) with minimal disability (EDSS range 0.0 to 2.5) were enrolled. Adherence was high, averaging 16.6 entries per participant over one month, indicating feasibility of the intervention. At study end there was a significant decrease in symptoms of anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory, -2.23±10.71, p=.006), depression (Beck Depression Inventory, -6.08±8.58, p=.025) and negative affect (-4.55±7.88, p= .025).

Conclusions

The digital telehealth intervention Personal Zen is a feasible and effective tool to reduce distress experienced by younger patients with MS, and particularly relevant as a therapeutic option in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors/Disclosures
Allan George PRESENTER	Mr. George has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
Lauren B. Krupp, MD, FAAN (NYU Langone Medical Center)	Dr. krupp has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. krupp has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Celgene. Dr. krupp has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Medscape. Dr. krupp has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for EBIX. Dr. krupp has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Biogen. Dr. krupp has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Hoffman LaRoche. Dr. krupp has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for MMMK. Dr. krupp has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Patrick, Dolan, and Kaufman. Dr. krupp has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
	No disclosure on file
Leigh E. Charvet, PhD (NYU Langone)	Dr. Charvet has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Charvet has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Springer Healthcare. Dr. Charvet has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for YBrain. Dr. Charvet has stock in Johnson&Johnson.

��ɫ��

��ɫ��