TY - JOUR T1 - Randomised controlled trial of a self-guided online fatigue intervention in multiple sclerosis JF - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry JO - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry SP - 970 LP - 976 DO - 10.1136/jnnp-2017-317463 VL - 89 IS - 9 AU - Jana Pöttgen AU - Rona Moss-Morris AU - Janina-Maria Wendebourg AU - Lena Feddersen AU - Stefanie Lau AU - Sascha Köpke AU - Björn Meyer AU - Tim Friede AU - Iris-Katharina Penner AU - Christoph Heesen AU - Stefan M Gold Y1 - 2018/09/01 UR - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/89/9/970.abstract N2 - Objective Fatigue is a major disabling symptom in many chronic diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS), but treatment options are limited.Here, we tested the effectiveness of a self-guided , interactive, online fatigue management programme (ELEVIDA) based on principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and related psychotherapeutic approaches (eg, mindfulness) for reducing fatigue in MS.Methods Patients with MS and self-reported fatigue were recruited via the website of the German MS Society and assigned via an automated randomisation generator (1:1, no blocking or stratification) to a 12-week online intervention (ELEVIDA, n=139, 82% female, mean age 40.8, median patient determined disease steps (PDDS) 3.0) or a waitlist control group (n=136, 79% female, mean age 41.9, median PDDS 3.0). The primary outcome was the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, at week 12 (postintervention) and at follow-up (week 24).Results Compared with the control group, significantly greater reductions in Chalder Fatigue Scale scores were seen in the ELEVIDA group at week 12 (primary endpoint, intention-to-treat analysis: between-group mean difference 2.74 points; 95% CI 1.16 to 4.32; p=0.0007; effect size d=0.53), with effects sustained at week 24 (intention-to-treat analysis: between-group mean difference 2.19 points; 95% CI 0.57 to 3.82; p=0.0080).Conclusions Our trial provides evidence for the effectiveness of a self-guided , internet-based intervention to reduce fatigue in MS. Interventions such as ELEVIDA may be a suitable low barrier, cost-effective treatment option for MS fatigue.Trial registration number ISRCTN registry (number ISRCTN25692173). ER -