The effects of psychotherapy on Multiple Sclerosis symptoms: An IPA exploration of psychotherapy experience and outcome

Fragkiadaki, Eva; Anagnostopoulos, Fotios

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is common among young adults and varies significantly in terms of clinical course and pathophysiology. Depression and anxiety have been associated to the onset of the disease, having a significant impact on coping with the symptoms. The application of complementary, non – medical interventions for patients with MS gains more attention in recent empirical literature. The present study aims at adding to the existing literature of the efficacy of psychotherapy interventions for patients with MS, applying a qualitative psychotherapy outcome research design. Participants are recruited in a MS outpatient clinic and those who are in a psychotherapy context, physically and cognitively able in engaging in the research process, are eligible for participating. Interviews will be held in two different times, baseline (onset of research) and six months after or upon termination of psychotherapy. The patients will fill in the helpful events in psychotherapy form after their sessions. Data will be analyzed based on the principles of IPA, focusing on the experience of therapy and the impact it has on the patients’ experience of the MS symptoms (biological as well as psychological). The methodological as well as clinical connotations of the research project and results will be discussed in the presentation.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Qualitative Research on Mental Health: Rising to a Global Challenge
• Start Date: Sep 20, 2018
• End Date: Sep 22, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 12, 2019
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/2757685