Feasibility and outcome of a web-based self-help intervention for depressive symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study

Abstract Background Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Web-based problem solving therapy (PST) is easily accessible and showed to be effective in depressed patients. Objectives The aims of this pilot study were to examine feasibility and outcome (reduction of depressive symptoms) of an applied web-based PST intervention in MS patients. Methods Forty-four MS patients with mild to severe depressive symptoms followed a web-based PST intervention. Feasibility was measured by compliance rate and satisfaction scales. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to measure depressive symptoms before and after the intervention. Results The compliance rate was 52%, and 85% of the patients rated the quality of the intervention as good or excellent. After the intervention, depressive symptoms had significantly decreased (BDI-II change: mean = − 3.9, p = 0.01, d = 0.51 in intention-to-treat analysis; BDI-II change: mean = − 9.0, p < 0.001, d = 1.50 in completers analysis). Conclusions This study suggests that applied web-based PST is feasible and reduces depressive symptoms in MS patients. Especially MS patients who experience disease-related or other barriers to participate in face-to-face counselling could benefit. However, ways to increase compliance should be considered. A randomized controlled trial is recommended to more extensively investigate effectiveness of this intervention in treating depressive symptoms in MS patients.