1.
Telephone cognitive behavioural therapy to prevent the development of chronic widespread pain: a qualitative study of patient perspectives and treatment acceptability.
Fraser, C, Beasley, M, Macfarlane, G, Lovell, K
BMC musculoskeletal disorders. 2019;(1):198
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telephone cognitive behavioural therapy (tCBT) is an acceptable and effective treatment for patients with chronic widespread pain (CWP). Preventing the onset of CWP offers considerable benefits to the individual and society and the MAmMOTH study is the first aimed at CWP prevention. The study is a two-arm randomised trial testing a course of tCBT against usual care for prevention of CWP. This nested qualitative study explores patients' treatment experiences, with a view to understanding their potential influences on acceptability of the intervention. METHODS The MAmMOTH Study recruited 1002 participants, half of whom were randomised to receive tCBT. Participants were eligible for invitation to the trial if they had pain for which they had consulted their GP, or had pain and visited a doctor frequently, and had 2 of 3 risk factors for development of CWP. Participants randomised to tCBT who had completed treatment were eligible for invitation to qualitative interviews for this study. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with a sub-sample (nā=ā33) of patients at high risk of developing CWP who had been allocated to the intervention arm. Semi-structured telephone interviews explored treatment experiences and intervention acceptability. Data was analysed using Framework analysis. RESULTS Participants presented with a range of musculoskeletal and auto-immune conditions and almost half described their pain as 'chronic' on study entry. Many participants perceived the trial intervention to be aimed at treatment of pain rather than prevention of pain. Initial expectations prior to treatment varied, with scepticism more likely for those who had little prior knowledge of CBT approaches. All participants provided positive feedback post intervention particularly in relation to the modality, therapist experience and skills and the intervention. The majority of participants described positive changes in either their subjective level of pain or pain-management post-intervention and some attributed the positive change directly to the intervention as a result of empowerment, increased self-management and cognitive restructuring. CONCLUSIONS This study extends our understanding of the acceptability and suitability of preventative interventions for chronic widespread pain and provides further evidence for the acceptability of tCBT. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials.gov NCT02668003 (registered 29th January, 2016).
2.
Dietary responses to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis: a qualitative study.
Russell, RD, Black, LJ, Sherriff, JL, Begley, A
European journal of clinical nutrition. 2019;(4):601-608
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease with no known cure and insufficient evidence to support a special therapeutic diet to alter symptom management or disease progression. Several studies have reported dietary changes made by people with MS, but there has been limited investigation into experiences surrounding diet in those recently diagnosed. This study explored responses to diet after a recent diagnosis of MS in people living in Western Australia. SUBJECTS/METHODS Eleven adults with MS (mean time since diagnosis 8 months) participated in semi-structured interviews focusing on responses to diet since MS diagnosis. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using grounded theory principles. RESULTS Three theme responses emerged; (1) the perceived incompatibility of lack of/or generalised dietary advice with disease seriousness at the time of diagnosis; (2) extensive personal research and information seeking with difficulty judging credibility, and (3) self-experimentation with diet to either control MS symptoms or to cure MS. CONCLUSIONS Given the seriousness of the disease, there is a perceived gap in dietary information provided at the time of diagnosis. Healthcare professionals should address concerns with alternative therapeutic diets advertised to treat or cure MS, and clearly convey the reasoning for the general healthy dietary recommendations. This would better align advice with the perceptions about the role of diet in MS, assist people with MS in need of information and minimise dietary self-experimentation. Future research should explore the importance of diet for those who have had MS for a longer period of time.