Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40206569›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of MS care2025

Developing and Piloting a Dedicated Support Group for Young Adults With Multiple Sclerosis.

Nora Sekella, Hannah Gilmore, Eileen French, Vanessa Zimmerman, Dina Jacobs, Sona Narula

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of MS care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

6 authors.

Nora SekellaFrom the Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Hannah GilmoreFrom the Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Eileen FrenchFrom the Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Vanessa ZimmermanFrom the Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Dina JacobsFrom the Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Sona NarulaFrom the Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable, and potentially highly debilitating neurological condition. It is often diagnosed in young adulthood but can start earlier in childhood and adolescence. When MS is diagnosed and treated in pediatric clinics, the level of support is often higher than in adult clinics. A dedicated young adult (YA) support group may help fill the gap that patients may experience when transitioning to adult care. This qualitative descriptive pilot study explores the feasibility and outcomes of a virtual support group for YAs with MS receiving care from an adult MS center.

methodsThis purposive, convenience sample consisted of 8 participants between the ages of 18 and 25 years who met monthly for 6 virtual sessions. Participants completed a pregroup questionnaire with 6 open-ended questions, and the sessions were based on these results. The results of the pilot implementation were evaluated through postgroup questionnaires with 5 open-ended questions. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

resultsSeveral themes were identified from the pregroup questionnaires, including the transition from pediatric to adult care, support, coping skills, and the need for more information about MS. Themes from the postgroup questionnaire included suggestions for smooth transfer from pediatric to adult care, benefits of support and feeling less alone, coping strategies, and increased knowledge about MS.

conclusionsThe results of this study suggest that a dedicated virtual support group may provide YAs with MS with psychosocial support and validation through shared experiences and knowledge about living with MS.

Indexed as

care transitionpeer supportsupport groupyoung adults

Identifiers

PMID40206569
PMCPMC11976059

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Registered trials

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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.