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Sommers-Spijkerman M, Zwarts-Engelbert A, Kruitwagen-Van Reenen E, Van Eijk RPA, Visser-Meily JMA, Heijmans E, Austin J, Drossaert C, Bohlmeijer E, Beelen A. Acceptability and potential benefit of a self-compassion intervention for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a mixed methods pilot study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024:1-11. [PMID: 39258586 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2400516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Objective: This proof-of-concept study aimed to explore the acceptability and potential benefit of a self-guided online self-compassion intervention to aid resilient coping and reduce emotional distress among patients and caregivers living with ALS. Methods: A single-arm pilot study was conducted in 20 adults living with ALS either as a patient or as a caregiver. Acceptability was examined using questionnaires (n = 20) and semi-structured interviews (n = 9). Potential benefit was assessed as changes in self-compassion, self-criticism and emotional distress, determined using psychological questionnaires at 3 and 6 weeks. Questionnaires were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models and interview data using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Out of 20 participants who started the intervention, 16 completed the study (80%). The majority of study completers (12/16) were satisfied with the intervention, but the data suggest room for improvement in terms of personalization. Qualitative data revealed multiple psychological benefits of using the intervention, including self-kindness, emotional self-awareness and savoring. Although not statistically significant, quantitative data showed positive trends with increased self-compassion (mean difference: 2.07; 95% CI: -.5.76 - 1.63) and reduced self-criticism (mean difference: -2.62; 95% CI: -.1.97 - 7.23) and emotional distress (mean difference: -2.49; 95% CI: -.51 - 5.50) at week 6 compared to baseline. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a self-compassion intervention is acceptable to people living with ALS, but its beneficial effects and the mechanisms involved have yet to be established in larger and more diverse samples, using controlled designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Sommers-Spijkerman
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aimée Zwarts-Engelbert
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Kruitwagen-Van Reenen
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A Van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands, and
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Emmy Heijmans
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Judith Austin
- Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Constance Drossaert
- Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Ernst Bohlmeijer
- Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Anita Beelen
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Stenson K, Fecteau TE, O'Callaghan L, Bryden P, Mellor J, Wright J, Earl L, Thomas O, Iqbal H, Barlow S, Parvanta S. Health-related quality of life across disease stages in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: results from a real-world survey. J Neurol 2024; 271:2390-2404. [PMID: 38200398 PMCID: PMC11055770 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12141-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by a rapid disease course, with disease severity being associated with declining health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons living with ALS (pALS). The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of disease progression on HRQoL across King's, Milano-Torino Staging (MiToS), and physician-judgement clinical staging. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of the disease on the HRQoL of care partners (cALS). METHODS Data were sourced from the Adelphi ALS Disease Specific Programme (DSP)™, a cross-sectional survey of neurologists, pALS and cALS presenting in a real-world clinical setting between July 2020 and March 2021 in Europe and the United States. RESULTS Neurologists (n = 142) provided data for 880 pALS. There were significant negative correlations between all three clinical staging systems and EuroQol (European Quality of Life) Five Dimension Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L) utility scores and visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings. Although not all differences were significant, 5-item Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-5) scores showed a stepwise increase in HRQoL impairment at each stage of the disease regardless of the staging system. At later stages, high levels of fatigue and substantial activity impairment were reported. As pALS disease states progressed, cALS also experienced a decline in HRQoL and increased burden. CONCLUSIONS Across outcomes, pALS and cALS generally reported worse outcomes at later stages of the disease, highlighting an unmet need in this population for strategies to maximise QoL despite disease progression. Recognition and treatment of symptoms such as pain and fatigue may lead to improved outcomes for pALS and cALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - L O'Callaghan
- Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Sage Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - J Mellor
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - J Wright
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - L Earl
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - O Thomas
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - H Iqbal
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - S Barlow
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
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