Treatment for depression and its relationship to improvement in quality of life and psychological well-being in multiple sclerosis patients
Abstract
Depression, a common problem in multiple sclerosis (MS), is generally associated with poorer quality of life (QOL). However, it is unclear whether treating depression also extends to better perceived QOL. Understanding QOL in MS has been limited by narrow definitions and exclusive focus on symptomology, with little emphasis on positive aspects of QOL. This study examined the impact of treating depression on QOL in 60 patients with a relapsing form of MS and moderate to severe depression, who were randomly assigned to one of three validated 16-week treatments for depression: individual cognitive-behavioral therapy, group psychotherapy, or sertraline. QOL was measured by the MSQOL-54, a version of the SF-36 adapted for MS, and Ryff's scales of psychological well-being, which measure positive attitudes and functioning. Depression and QOL were measured at baseline and immediately following treatment completion. Controlling for baseline neurological impairment and baseline QOL scores, regression analyses showed treating depression was significantly associated with improvements in the MSQOL-54 scales (R2s = 0.19-0.55, p < 0.001) and in four of the six scales of psychological well-being: environmental mastery (R2 = 0.13, p < 0.001), positive relations (R2 = 0.08, p < 0.001), purpose in life (R2 = 0.16, p < 0.001), and self-acceptance (R2 = 0.26, p < 0.001). Findings suggest treating depression influences both the negative and positive aspects of QOL and underscore the importance of…
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These and other studies have often used individual therapy, and findings have mainly focused upon single dimensions of well-being, e.g., depression or fatigue.
“However, these and other studies have often used individual therapy, and findings have mainly focused upon single dimensions of well-being, e.g., depression or fatigue.”
From MS quality of life, depression, and fatigue improve after mindfulness training: A randomized trial (2010) · cites this paper as [19]
Several previous controlled trials of cognitive-behavioral interventions have shown benefits upon depression, fatigue, or anxiety in patients with MS.
“Several previous controlled trials of cognitive-behavioral interventions have shown benefits upon depression, fatigue, or anxiety in patients with MS.19,38,39”
From MS quality of life, depression, and fatigue improve after mindfulness training: A randomized trial (2010) · cites this paper as [19]
Improvements in well-being or HRQOL as primary aims among more broadly representative samples of patients with multiple sclerosis have been neglected.
“Improvements in well-being or HRQOL19 as primary aims among more broadly representative samples of patients with MS have been neglected”
From MS quality of life, depression, and fatigue improve after mindfulness training: A randomized trial (2010) · cites this paper as [19]
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- Authors
- Hart, S., Fonareva, I., Merluzzi, N., & Mohr, D. C.
- Affiliations
- San Francisco VA Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Hart, Stacey
- ORCID
- Mohr, David C.
- Venue
- Quality of Life Research
- Published
- 2005-04
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 695-703
- ISSN
- 0962-9343 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-2649
- OpenAlex
- W2053627258
- Cited by
- 128
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 6.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Quality of Life Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH59708, R01MH059708)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- depression, multiple sclerosis, quality of life, psychological well-being, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, sertraline, relapsing multiple sclerosis, MSQOL-54, Ryff scale, environmental mastery, positive relationships, meaning of life, self-acceptance
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Antidepressive Agents, Behavior Therapy, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Multiple Sclerosis, Psychotherapy, Group, Quality of Life, Regression Analysis, Severity of Illness Index, Sickness Impact Profile, Sertraline
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