Peer support groups in multiple sclerosis: current effectiveness and future directions

Peer support programs have become a common method of providing support for patients with chronic illness. Utilizing peers as resources has been proposed as an effective means for coping with a stressful life experience and for gaining support from others who share a common factor, although data are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Multiple sclerosis 2004-02, Vol.10 (1), p.80-84
Main Authors: Uccelli, M Messmer, Mohr, L Mancuso, Battaglia, M A, Zagami, P, Mohr, D C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases
Depression - etiology
Depression - psychology
Female
Health Status
Humans
Immunomodulators
Male
Medical sciences
Mental Health
Multiple Sclerosis - physiopathology
Multiple Sclerosis - psychology
Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis
Neurology
Peer Group
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Quality of Life
Self-Help Groups
Surveys and Questionnaires
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Peer support programs have become a common method of providing support for patients with chronic illness. Utilizing peers as resources has been proposed as an effective means for coping with a stressful life experience and for gaining support from others who share a common factor, although data are somewhat mixed on the efficacy of peer support. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of eight weeks of a standard form of peer support in improving quality of life and reducing depressive symptoms in 44 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). O ne person from each of six groups participated in a training course in order to learn basic principles of peer support. Eight weekly sessions were held and patients completed self-administered questionnaires pre- and post- treatment assessing quality of life and depression. Results showed that support groups do not provide consistent improvement in quality of life or depression in patients with MS and suggest that patients who have better mental health functioning could be at risk for deterioration in support groups.
ISSN:1352-4585
1477-0970
DOI:10.1191/1352458504ms973oa