A digital tele-health intervention for anxiety and stress management in younger patients with MS

Objective: To test the feasibility of a remotely delivered digital telehealth intervention targeting anxiety and stress in patients with pediatric onset MS. Background: Pediatric onset ( 4 times a week) x four weeks. Measures of anxiety and stress were administered at baseline and repeated weekly.Results: A total n=22 participants (86.4% female, age 17.95 ± 1.94, range 15 to 23 years) with minimal disability (EDSS range 0.0 to 2.5) were enrolled. Adherence was high, averaging 16.6 entries per participant over one month, indicating feasibility of the intervention. At study end there was a significant decrease in symptoms of anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory, 2.23±10.71, p=.006), depression (Beck Depression Inventory, 6.08±8.58, p=.025) and negative affect (4.55±7.88, p= .025).Conclusions: The digital telehealth intervention Personal Zen is a feasible and effective tool to reduce distress experienced by younger patients with MS, and particularly relevant as a therapeutic option in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.