Anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods survey.

Rehabilitation Psychology, Vol 69(2), May 2024, 118-128; doi:10.1037/rep0000528Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) may have increased; however, little is known about the various factors which influenced this. We aimed to (a) identify the psychosocial modifiable associates of anxiety in PwMS in Ireland and the United Kingdom and (b) explore experiences of anxiety during the pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional survey was developed using public and patient involvement in 2021. This included measures of anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS-A]), social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support [MSPSS]), multiple sclerosis control self-efficacy (Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy scale [MSSE]), exercise habits (Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire [GLTEQ]), MS acceptance (Acceptance of Chronic Health Conditions scale [ACHC]), and intolerance of uncertainty (Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 [IUS-12]), with open-ended questions asking about experiences of anxiety during COVID-19. A hierarchical regression analysis investigated the extent to which anxiety could be predicted by psychosocial modifiable factors after controlling for sociodemographic factors and multiple sclerosis (MS) type, while reflective thematic analysis was used to analyze open-ended responses. Results: 287 PwMS completed the survey, with 58% reporting that their anxiety had increased during the pandemic. In order of magnit...
Source: Rehabilitation Psychology - Category: Rehabilitation Source Type: research