INTERACT-MS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing NHS ImplemeNTation of an onlinE Resilience-training Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) programme to prevent job loss in Multiple Sclerosis
IRAS ID
338801
Contact name
Charlotte R Wicks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
People with MS (PwMS) are at increased risk of leaving work earlier than expected. Psychological factors that affect PwMS may make it more difficult to manage staying in work. These can include psychological flexibility and self-efficacy. Psychological flexibility is the ability to effectively manage unwanted inner experiences (e.g., thoughts, memories, bodily sensations) in the present. Self-efficacy is the self-belief that an individual has in their ability to succeed.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may help improve psychological flexibility and self-efficacy. Researchers and PwMS at Leeds have recently co-developed an online ACT-type programme called ‘READY for MS’. This online programme may be helpful for PwMS who want to stay in work. READY for MS can be used on a computer or mobile device and does not need time off work traveling to see a psychologist.
We want to understand the feasibility and effectiveness of training MS healthcare professionals to support delivery of the READY programme. We also want to understand the long-term outcomes for both healthcare professionals and the PwMS they are supporting. We will explore what contexts contribute to effective delivery of the READY for MS programme.
We aim to test this READY for MS programme in various NHS settings to ensure that the programme is delivering the outcomes we expect. This is a concept referred to as 'Intervention fidelity'. The key outcome we will measure for PwMS is work instability (i.e. risk of job loss).
We will invite participants to complete online questionnaires. These will be completed at baseline, post-intervention and 6 month follow-up. We will invite a sub-set of participants to complete semi-structured interviews. We will use regular rapid qualitative analysis methods (lightning reports) to assess implementation.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
24/NS/0041
Date of REC Opinion
8 May 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion