Abstract

Background

While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a major role in the lives of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), studies have shown that MRI-specific knowledge in pwMS is limited. Moreover, poor knowledge was associated with negative feelings towards MRI (e.g. anxiety concerning MRI scan). Because information sources about MRI in MS for pwMS are not available, we designed and evaluated an evidence-based online educational platform about MRI in MS called “Understanding MRI in MS” (UMIMS). Based on a pilot study in n= 79 subjects, an educational intervention was found to be feasible and effective. We hypothesize that MRI-specific knowledge can be increased by using UMIMS and that, subsequently, negative feelings towards MRI will be reduced and shared decision-making competences increased.

Methods

This randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial (RCT) will recruit n = 120 pwMS. The intervention group will receive access to UMIMS. The control group will get access to a specifically developed control website, which visually imitates UMIMS and contains the standard information available by several MS self-help organizations. The change in MRI-specific knowledge assessed via the MRI-risk knowledge questionnaire (MRI-RIKNO) after the intervention is the primary endpoint at 2 weeks. Several secondary endpoints will be assessed at different timepoints throughout the study, e.g. emotions towards MRI, autonomy preferences, threat by MS and shared decision-making competences. The study includes a process evaluation.

Discussion

The aim of this RCT is to prove that access to an education tool on MRI in MS will increase pwMS’ MRI-specific knowledge and enhance shared decision-making when discussing decisions involving MRI results during patient-physician encounters.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03872583. Registered on 13 March 2019.

Details

Title
Assessing the effect of an evidence-based patient online educational tool for people with multiple sclerosis called UMIMS—understanding magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis: study protocol for a double-blind, randomized controlled trial
Author
Schiffmann, Insa 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Freund, Magalie 2 ; Vettorazzi, Eik 3 ; Stellmann, Jan-Patrick 4 ; Heyer-Borchelt, Susanne 2 ; D’Hooghe, Marie 5 ; Häußler, Vivien 1 ; Rahn, Anne Christin 6 ; Heesen, Christoph 1 

1  University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis (INIMS), Hamburg, Germany (GRID:grid.13648.38) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 3484); University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Department of Neurology, Hamburg, Germany (GRID:grid.13648.38) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 3484) 
2  University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis (INIMS), Hamburg, Germany (GRID:grid.13648.38) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 3484) 
3  Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany (GRID:grid.13648.38) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 3484) 
4  University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis (INIMS), Hamburg, Germany (GRID:grid.13648.38) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 3484); University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Department of Neurology, Hamburg, Germany (GRID:grid.13648.38) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 3484); APHM, Hopital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (GRID:grid.411266.6) (ISNI:0000 0001 0404 1115); Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France (GRID:grid.503094.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 0452 3108) 
5  Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Centre for Neurosciences, Brussels, Belgium (GRID:grid.8767.e) (ISNI:0000 0001 2290 8069); National MS Centre Melsbroek, Melsbroek, Belgium (GRID:grid.8767.e) 
6  University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis (INIMS), Hamburg, Germany (GRID:grid.13648.38) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 3484); Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Department of Health Services Research, Oldenburg, Germany (GRID:grid.5560.6) (ISNI:0000 0001 1009 3608) 
Pages
1008
Publication year
2020
Publication date
Dec 2020
Publisher
Springer Nature B.V.
e-ISSN
17456215
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04855-5
ProQuest document ID
2812326146
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2020. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.