Study Purpose:
This study is designed to be a pragmatic, single-arm trial to evaluate the efficacy, implementation, and feasibility of an online ALS-specific self-compassion training program to enhance self-compassion and improve quality of life.Study Status:
Not recruiting
Disease:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Study Type:
Observational
Type of Intervention:
N/A
Intervention Name:
N/A
Placebo:
N/A
Phase:
N/A
Study Chair(s)/Principal Investigator(s):
Sean Smith, MD, Washington University School of Medicine
Clinicaltrials.gov ID:
Neals Affiliated?
No
Coordinating Center Contact Information
Washington University School of Medicine
Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110 United States
Full Study Summary:
Optimizing quality of life for people with ALS is a primary goal of ALS multidisciplinary care, Therefore, it is especially important to conduct research into interventions to address the psychological needs and well-being of people with ALS.
Recent studies have shown that mindfulness-based interventions promote improved quality of life for people with ALS. It is essential that such strategies as mindfulness-based interventions consider the specific needs of the ALS population and potential barriers to participation.
Very few studies have evaluated mindfulness-based interventions in the ALS population and no studies to date have evaluated self-compassion people with ALS. Self-compassion has been linked to increased emotional resilience, psychological well-being, and quality of life in multiple populations.
The intervention will include a 2-part workshop entitled 'Introduction to Mindful Self-Compassion for Persons Living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.' Experience and feedback gained from the workshop will be incorporated into the format for an 8-week course in Cultivating Self-Compassion for persons living with ALS (Compassion pALS). Compassion pALS will be adapted from the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Program to accommodate ALS clinical features and limit potential barriers to participation.
The primary outcome will be quality of life assessed with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire 5 (ALSA-5). Participants will be assessed at the 2-part workshop (T0, baseline), start of the 8 week Compassion pALS course (T1 = pre-intervention); after completing the intervention (T2, post-intervention). Secondary outcomes will include Secondary outcome measures the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-R (ALSFRS-R), Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM), Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), and Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM).
Recent studies have shown that mindfulness-based interventions promote improved quality of life for people with ALS. It is essential that such strategies as mindfulness-based interventions consider the specific needs of the ALS population and potential barriers to participation.
Very few studies have evaluated mindfulness-based interventions in the ALS population and no studies to date have evaluated self-compassion people with ALS. Self-compassion has been linked to increased emotional resilience, psychological well-being, and quality of life in multiple populations.
The intervention will include a 2-part workshop entitled 'Introduction to Mindful Self-Compassion for Persons Living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.' Experience and feedback gained from the workshop will be incorporated into the format for an 8-week course in Cultivating Self-Compassion for persons living with ALS (Compassion pALS). Compassion pALS will be adapted from the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Program to accommodate ALS clinical features and limit potential barriers to participation.
The primary outcome will be quality of life assessed with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire 5 (ALSA-5). Participants will be assessed at the 2-part workshop (T0, baseline), start of the 8 week Compassion pALS course (T1 = pre-intervention); after completing the intervention (T2, post-intervention). Secondary outcomes will include Secondary outcome measures the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-R (ALSFRS-R), Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM), Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), and Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM).
Study Sponsor:
Washington University School of Medicine
Estimated Enrollment:
5
Estimated Study Start Date:
12 / 17 / 2021
Estimated Study Completion Date:
06 / 01 / 2022
Posting Last Modified Date:
06 / 13 / 2022
Date Study Added to neals.org:
01 / 21 / 2022
Minimum Age:
18 Years
Maximum Age:
N/A
Can participants use Riluzole?
Yes
Inclusion Criteria:- Diagnosis of ALS within the last 18 months.
- 18 years or older
- Access to and the physical ability to use a computer with internet access with and/or without adaptive devices.
- Ability to communicate and understand tasks.
- A caregiver available to provide assistance.
- Ability to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- More than one neuropsychological impairment such as (frontotemporal dementia) which may interfere with the study procedures.
- Severe medical condition that would reduce life expectancy to less than 6-12 months.
- No access to a computer with internet access
- Unsuitable for the study as determined by the Investigator.
Washington University School of Medicine
Saint Louis, Missouri
63110
United States