Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38219252›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neurology2024

Experiences of people with multiple sclerosis and clinicians in using cognitive behavioural therapies for hidden symptoms: a systematic review and meta-aggregation.

Gregory Feng, Stephanie Posa, Ashvene Sureshkumar, Sharon Simpson, Tania Bruno, Sarah A Morrow, Sarah Donkers, Katherine Knox, Anthony Feinstein, Mark Bayley and 2 more

Open access · greenAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neurology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
3.8field-weighted citation impact, top 7% 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

2 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Review
  2. Behavioral disorders in multiple sclerosis: a comprehensive review.Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) · 2025
    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

12 authors at 5 institutions in 1 country.

Gregory FengToronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Stephanie PosaToronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Ashvene SureshkumarRehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Sharon SimpsonForest Hill Centre for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Toronto, Canada.
Tania BrunoToronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Sarah A MorrowCumming School of Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
Sarah DonkersCollege of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Katherine KnoxDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Anthony FeinsteinDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Mark BayleyToronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Sarah MunceToronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Robert SimpsonToronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. robert.simpson@uhn.ca.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7107-8679
University Health Network · CAUniversity of Saskatchewan · CASunnybrook Health Science Centre · CAUniversity of Toronto · CAWestern University · CA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeCognitive behavioural therapies (CBTs) are a standard of care for treatment of many 'hidden symptoms' in people with MS (PwMS), such as stress, depression, and fatigue. However, these interventions can vary widely in formatting and may not be tailored for PwMS. To optimize CBTs for MS, understanding the experiences of PwMS and clinicians is essential. This systematic review and meta-aggregation synthesizes existing qualitative data on stakeholder perspectives of CBTs for PwMS.

methodsSystematic searches across five major electronic databases were conducted. Studies reporting qualitative data were identified. Two reviewers performed screening, quality assessment, data extraction, and certainty of evidence assessments. Meta-aggregation was performed as per the Joanna Briggs Institute approach, entailing qualitative data extraction, developing categories, and synthesizing overall findings.

resultsTwenty-eight studies were included in this review, comprising data from 653 PwMS and 47 clinicians. In the meta-aggregation, 122 qualitative results were extracted and grouped into nine categories. Categories were then combined into six synthesized findings: (1) setting the context-life with MS, (2) reasons for participating in CBTs, (3) acceptability of and experiences with participating in CBTs, (4) perceived benefits of CBTs, (5) perceived challenges with CBTs, and (6) suggestions to improve CBTs for PwMS.

conclusionsA range of benefits including psychological, social, and lifestyle improvements were reported, but varied based on the design of the CBT intervention. Future CBT interventions should be tailored to participant needs, delivered in group settings, offer online options, and be delivered by a trained facilitator familiar with MS. Further exploration of the ideal CBT design for PwMS, as well as engagement with caregivers and clinicians treating MS, is warranted.

Indexed as

Cognitive Behavioral TherapyMultiple SclerosisHumansAffective symptomsCognitive behaviour therapiesMultiple sclerosisPatient preferences

Identifiers

PMID38219252
OpenAlexW4390858810

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.