A Brief emotion-focused psychodynamic intervention for fatigue, pain, and health-related quality of life in women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A randomized pilot trial.

In 30 seconds

This randomized pilot trial assessed the feasibility and preliminary clinical outcomes of an eight-session individual emotion-focused psychodynamic intervention in 30 women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), compared with treatment as usual. Recruitment and retention supported feasibility: 93% completed post-treatment assessment and 90% completed one-month follow-up; mean attendance was 7.3 of 8 sessions, with no intervention-related adverse events. Exploratory analyses found Group × Time interactions for fatigue, pain, and health-related quality of life (all p < .001; partial η² = .59-.73). Improvements were largely maintained at one month, warranting evaluation in a fully powered trial.

Key findings

• Post-treatment assessment was completed by 93% of participants and one-month follow-up by 90%; mean attendance was 7.3 of 8 sessions.
• No intervention-related adverse events were reported.
• Group × Time interactions were significant for fatigue, pain, and health-related quality of life (all p < .001; partial η² = .59-.73).
• Fatigue and pain decreased and health-related quality of life improved; changes were largely maintained at one-month follow-up.

Why it matters

Fatigue, pain, and impaired quality of life are relevant outcomes for women living with RRMS. This small randomized pilot suggests that a brief psychodynamic intervention can be delivered with good attendance and follow-up, while providing preliminary estimates of possible benefit. The findings help justify further testing but do not establish effectiveness.

What to keep in mind

This was a pilot trial with 30 participants and only one-month follow-up; clinical outcomes were exploratory, and the authors call for a fully powered randomized controlled trial.