Intervention for Employed Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Holy Name Medical Center, Inc.

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis

Treatments: Behavioral: Neuropsychological testing intervention plus follow up

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04100525

Employment Study

Details and patient eligibility

About

Unemployment is particularly common among women with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study uses a vocational rehabilitation program involving neuropsychological testing as an intervention. The use of in-person feedback and case management following neuropsychological testing is compared to phone feedback only. Adherence to treatment and employment outcomes will be evaluated over three years.

Full description

Employed women at a tertiary-care MS center were screened for common issues impacting work productivity (fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and depression). Women who met screening criteria were randomized to one of two treatment groups: either neuropsychological testing and phone feedback to review findings and tailored recommendations (standard-care treatment); or neuropsychological testing, in-person feedback, and two calls from a care-coordinator (experimental treatment). Adherence to recommendations and employment status at one year are evaluated. Follow-up periods also occur at year two and year three.

Enrollment: 89 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 64 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female sex
• Age between 18 and 64
• Employed at least 20 hours per week
• Confirmed diagnosis of MS

Exclusion criteria

• Experiencing an MS exacerbation
• Endorsing suicidal ideation or intent
• Pregnant
• Severe psychiatric disorder
• History of traumatic brain injury
• Dementia
• Major neurological illness other than MS

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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89 participants in 2 patient groups

Standard Care

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participant received neuropsychological testing, report detailing cognitive strengths and weaknesses, tailored recommendations to address areas of weakness (including psychological and/or physical symptoms impacting work productivity). Participant received a copy of this report in the mail and a call from the psychologist to go over test findings and recommendations.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Neuropsychological testing intervention plus follow up

Experimental Treatment

Experimental group

Description:

Participant received neuropsychological testing, report detailing cognitive strengths and weaknesses, tailored recommendations to address areas of weakness (including psychological and/or physical symptoms impacting work productivity). Participant then receives in-person feedback (and a copy of the report at this visit) and two calls from a care-coordinator research nurse at approximately 1 and 6 months post feedback, who asks participant whether they completed recommendations and assist participant in completing recommendations where possible (i.e., help find a provider, explanation of importance of completing recommendations, etc).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Neuropsychological testing intervention plus follow up