Translational Research in Psychological Practice: Assisting Clients to Take Control while Attempting to Adapt

Background: The provision of psychological support services to people with MS (PwMS) is often considered a 'luxury' in the care of someone with the disease. Following doctoral research into individuals' MS related experiences prior to, and at the time of, diagnosis and the subsequent post diagnosis behaviours and lifestyle changing activities exhibited in the first 12 months, it was identified that benefit could be realised by offering a psychological counselling service to those attending the Eastern Health MS Clinic in Melbourne, Australia. This service is now informing key research questions for studies planned for 2013.

Objectives: This presentation discusses how the findings of research into the perspectives of PwMS, who typically tried to take control while attempting to adapt to their diagnosis, has been applied to the provision of counselling by a psychologist working within a multidisciplinary MS team. Further, identification of future research questions prompted by current clinical work is explored.

Methods: 243 females and 52 males from 18 countries (primarily Australia, USA, UK, NZ, and Canada) completed the online self report measure providing both quantitative and qualitative data.

Results: MS related experiences (such as number of exacerbations and types of symptoms) prior to diagnosis varied widely. A higher percentage of women (43%) than men (25%) suspected MS before diagnosis was made. Information seeking was the most identified activity engaged in post diagnosis (followed by the seeking of social support), while changes to diet and addition of vitamins were among the most widely reported changes to lifestyle activities. Factors that assisted participants to cope with the diagnosis were: Maintaining a positive attitude; making practical changes; changing health behaviours, and; information seeking and sharing. Hindrances were identified as: Dealing with the attitudes of others; attempting to maintain a pre-MS lifestyle; information overload, and; negative examples of other PwMS.

Conclusions: Attempting to take control of a largely uncontrollable disease following diagnosis seems imperative for most PwMS, and is seen both within research results and in clinical practice. Health professionals may be able to play a key role in advising those newly diagnosed with MS on appropriate avenues for 'taking control'. Employing a randomised control trial methodology, future research will investigate whether routine short term psychological counselling within the first 12 months following diagnosis is of benefit to the quality of life of PwMS at several time intervals.