BACKGROUND: Positive psychology uses targeted activities to increase the frequency and intensity of positive emotional experiences. Positive psychology interventions that increase positive constructs may facilitate adjustment and improve well-being in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary goal of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 5-week group positive psychology intervention for patients with MS. In addition, we examined the utility of the group intervention to increase positive psychological constructs and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: 11 patients completed 5 weeks of group positive psychology training, one time per week (session duration, 45-60 minutes). Each week, patients completed one of the following positive psychology exercises: gratitude for positive events, personal strengths, gratitude letter, enjoyable and meaningful activities, and remembering past successes. Patients completed patient-reported outcome measures, including measures of positive affect, optimism, depression, anxiety, and HRQOL, at baseline and after 5 weeks. RESULTS: All the participants completed the 5-week group positive psychology intervention, and 82% attended four or more sessions. Improvements in fatigue (vitality) and depression after the group intervention were significant (P = .016 and .049, respectively). There were no statistically significant changes in positive or negative affect, optimism, anxiety, HRQOL, or cognition. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-week group positive psychology intervention was feasible and acceptable to patients with MS. A randomized controlled trial is necessary to further explore the effectiveness of the group intervention.
BACKGROUND: Positive psychology uses targeted activities to increase the frequency and intensity of positive emotional experiences. Positive psychology interventions that increase positive constructs may facilitate adjustment and improve well-being in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary goal of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 5-week group positive psychology intervention for patients with MS. In addition, we examined the utility of the group intervention to increase positive psychological constructs and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: 11 patients completed 5 weeks of group positive psychology training, one time per week (session duration, 45-60 minutes). Each week, patients completed one of the following positive psychology exercises: gratitude for positive events, personal strengths, gratitude letter, enjoyable and meaningful activities, and remembering past successes. Patients completed patient-reported outcome measures, including measures of positive affect, optimism, depression, anxiety, and HRQOL, at baseline and after 5 weeks. RESULTS: All the participants completed the 5-week group positive psychology intervention, and 82% attended four or more sessions. Improvements in fatigue (vitality) and depression after the group intervention were significant (P = .016 and .049, respectively). There were no statistically significant changes in positive or negative affect, optimism, anxiety, HRQOL, or cognition. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-week group positive psychology intervention was feasible and acceptable to patients with MS. A randomized controlled trial is necessary to further explore the effectiveness of the group intervention.
Authors: Jeff C Huffman; Christina M DuBois; Brian C Healy; Julia K Boehm; Todd B Kashdan; Christopher M Celano; John W Denninger; Sonja Lyubomirsky Journal: Gen Hosp Psychiatry Date: 2013-10-14 Impact factor: 3.238
Authors: A D Sadovnick; R A Remick; J Allen; E Swartz; I M Yee; K Eisen; R Farquhar; S A Hashimoto; J Hooge; L F Kastrukoff; W Morrison; J Nelson; J Oger; D W Paty Journal: Neurology Date: 1996-03 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Jeff C Huffman; Carol A Mastromauro; Julia K Boehm; Rita Seabrook; Gregory L Fricchione; John W Denninger; Sonja Lyubomirsky Journal: Heart Int Date: 2011-10-03
Authors: Eya Torkhani; Emilie Dematte; Jean Slawinski; Antonia Csillik; Marie-Claire Gay; Djamel Bensmaïl; Olivier Heinzlef; Giovanni de Marco Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2021-12-24