Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36545647›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of MS care

Online Peer Support for People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Synthesis Systematic Review.

Esther Vera Gerritzen, Abigail Rebecca Lee, Orii McDermott, Neil Coulson, Martin Orrell

Open access · diamondAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of MS care. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
17citing papers in PubMed
4.8field-weighted citation impact, top 4% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

17 citing papers in PubMed, 29 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
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  8. Article
  9. Evaluating Experiences in a Digital Nutrition Education Program for People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2024
    Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Optimising Online Peer Support for People with Young Onset Dementia.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2024
    Article
  14. Review
  15. Review
  16. Frontiers in psychiatry · 2024
    Article
  17. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 1 institution in 2 countries.

Esther Vera GerritzenInstitute of Mental Health, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences (EVG, ARL, OM, MO), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5812-4944
Abigail Rebecca LeeInstitute of Mental Health, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences (EVG, ARL, OM, MO), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Orii McDermottInstitute of Mental Health, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences (EVG, ARL, OM, MO), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Neil CoulsonThe Department of Population and Lifespan Health (NC), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Martin OrrellInstitute of Mental Health, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences (EVG, ARL, OM, MO), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
University of Nottingham · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeople with multiple sclerosis often experience depression and anxiety, negatively affecting their quality of life, especially their social life. Peer support, whether in person or online, could improve social connection and coping. Online peer support allows people to engage from their home at a time that suits them. We sought to explore the benefits and challenges of online peer support and to identify successful elements of online peer support for people with multiple sclerosis.

methodsUsing the narrative synthesis method, 6 databases were searched in April 2020 for articles published between 1989 and 2020; the search was updated in May 2022. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative research checklist and the Downs and Black checklist.

resultsOf 10,987 unique articles identified through the database search, 11 were included. Benefits of online peer support included sharing information and experiences and emotional support. Successful elements included having a dedicated space to save information and the convenience of online peer support. Challenges included verification of information and the lack of nonverbal communication.

conclusionsOnline peer support can help those unable to access in-person support groups and can reduce the risk of social isolation. However, multiple sclerosis symptoms may make it difficult to use technological devices. Research is needed to further explore potential barriers to online peer support.

Indexed as

multiple sclerosispsychological issuespsychosocial issuessocial support

Identifiers

PMID36545647
PMCPMC9749829
OpenAlexW4309351810

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.