Trial results for a study investigating a self-directed positive psychology intervention for newly diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis patients were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-01-22, showing a mean change in affect of 4.75 in the intervention group.
Background
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to a range of neurological symptoms. Beyond the physical challenges, individuals with MS frequently experience significant impacts on their emotional well-being and mental health, including feelings of hopelessness or decreased happiness. While current treatments primarily focus on managing disease progression and symptoms, complementary approaches that support psychological resilience and quality of life are increasingly recognized as important. Positive psychology interventions, which emphasize building strengths and positive emotions, offer a potential avenue to address these non-physical aspects of living with MS.
Trial design
This completed study, identified as Phase NA, enrolled 30 participants diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The trial aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a five-week self-directed positive psychology (PP) training intervention for individuals with newly diagnosed MS. The intervention involved exercises such as writing a letter of gratitude or remembering a past success. The study also sought to determine if completing this intervention could improve positive affect, emotional function, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Participants were assigned to either the intervention group or a waitlist control group.
Key results
The trial results addressed the feasibility, ease of completion, utility of the exercises, and changes in affect and trait optimism:
- For the "Feasibility of the Positive Psychology (PP) Intervention," 10 Participants were in the Intervention group and 11 Participants were in the Waitlist Control group.
- Subject ratings of "Ease of Completion of PP Exercises" showed a mean of 7.2 for the Intervention group and 7.5 for the Waitlist Control group on a scale.
- Subject ratings of "Utility of PP Exercises" showed a mean of 7.1 for the Intervention group and 7.9 for the Waitlist Control group on a scale.
- For "Changes in Affect From Baseline to Five Weeks," the Intervention group showed a mean of 4.75 on a scale, while the Waitlist Control group showed a mean of -1.93 on a scale.
- Another measurement for "Changes in Affect From Baseline to Five Weeks" showed a mean of -2.47 for the Intervention group and 0.74 for the Waitlist Control group on a scale.
- "Changes in Trait Optimism From Baseline to Five Weeks" showed a mean of 1.77 for the Intervention group and -1.26 for the Waitlist Control group on a scale.
What this means
The posted results indicate that a five-week self-directed positive psychology intervention appears feasible and acceptable for individuals with newly diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis. The findings suggest a positive shift in affect and trait optimism for participants in the intervention group compared to the waitlist control. Specifically, one measure of affect showed a mean increase of 4.75 in the intervention group, contrasting with a decrease of -1.93 in the control group. Similarly, trait optimism increased by a mean of 1.77 in the intervention group, while decreasing by -1.26 in the control group. These preliminary results suggest that self-directed positive psychology exercises could serve as a valuable non-pharmacological adjunct to standard care, potentially enhancing the emotional well-being and psychological resilience of patients navigating a new MS diagnosis.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT06891937, titled "Self-Directed Positive Psychology Intervention for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis", were posted on 2026-01-22 on clinicaltrials.gov.