COMPASS is a digital tool that provides support to manage the day-to-day challenges of living with a long-term health condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS), significantly reducing psychological distress for these patients. Data from randomized clinical trials show that it reduces symptoms and improves mental health.
The intervention consists of multiple online modules that help patients better manage their symptoms and develop strategies to cope with their emotions and improve their quality of life. We have obtained the CE mark, a designation given in Europe to treatments that meet safety standards.
“We strongly recommend this as a best practice to those in the MS community,” Simon Brody, an MS patient who participated in the study, said in a press release.
the study, “A randomized controlled trial of the Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program (COMPASS) for managing depression and anxiety associated with living with a long-term physical health condition.” was published. psychiatry.
Living with a lifelong illness like MS can have a negative impact on a person’s mental health. Patients must deal not only with the acute symptoms of the illness itself, but also with the stress of navigating medical care and treatment.
The COMPASS online program was created by scientists at King’s College London
COMPASS: Navigating your long-term health conditions was created by scientists at King’s College London (KCL) to provide support to people dealing with different types of long-term health problems. This is an online program.
“COMPASS guides you into the areas of your life you want to improve and explore by enabling your skills and providing supported tools to guide you along the journey,” says Brodie.
This tool includes tools that address issues such as managing long-term condition uncertainty, creating routines, accepting and expressing emotions, building a healthy lifestyle, and building self-compassion and self-efficacy.11 Contains modules. This process is supported by therapists and is based on the concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy, helping patients build resilience and coping strategies.
“Access to psychotherapy tailored to the needs of people with long-term conditions is difficult for patients (due to time, transportation, and/or transportation) and health care providers (for cost of treatment and appropriately trained therapists) to access psychotherapy that is tailored to the needs of people with long-term conditions.” ” said Dr. Rona Moss-Morris, co-author of the KCL study.
“As a CE-marked digital therapy with minimal therapist intervention, COMPASS is an effective intervention to reduce psychological distress, as well as a potential solution to overcome some of these challenges. We provide that,” Moss-Morris said.
Thankfully, as a person with a long-term condition, I have the strength and confidence to cope with the changes and emotions that occur in my life, thanks to my participation in the COMPASS trial.
Trial tests the effectiveness of COMPASS in helping chronically ill patients
After developing this tool, scientists conducted a clinical trial (NCT04535778) to test its effectiveness in helping patients with chronic diseases.
“This trial is the culmination of several years of work that began in 2018. Throughout the project, we developed the COMPASS program and training for therapists, conducted user testing, obtained regulatory approval, and We started implementing it in medical clinics and conducted this trial,” said Dr. Katrin Hulme, co-lead author of the study.
The study, in collaboration with disease-specific charities, enrolled nearly 200 people with chronic conditions, including 34 diagnosed with MS, all of whom received clinical treatment related to their condition. reported significant anxiety and depression.
During the 12-week study, half of the participants engaged with the COMPASS platform for a cumulative median of over 2 hours. These participants were allowed up to five short check-ins with their therapists. The other half of the participants, who served as a control group, received no special support other than the resources from charities available to all patients.
The primary objective of this study was to assess changes in patients’ psychological distress, as measured by a questionnaire called the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale. The results showed that patients who had access to the COMPASS platform reported significantly reduced distress, by an average of almost 7 points compared to the control group.
88.7% of patients using COMPASS reported significant improvement
A total of 88.7% of patients using the COMPASS platform reported clinically significant improvement after 12 weeks, while less than half (45.1%) of control patients reported improvement.
Other measures of psychological stress showed that patients who used the COMPASS platform generally benefited more.
“COMPASS appears to be an effective treatment for the psychological distress associated with cohabitation.” [long-term health conditions] “Moderately significant effects on both depression and anxiety,” the researchers concluded.
Statistical analysis also showed that patients in the control group were more likely to report worsening stress during the study period. No safety issues related to digital tools were noted during the study.
“As a person with multiple sclerosis, my life has changed significantly as a direct result of my diagnosis. Thankfully being able to participate in the COMPASS trial has allowed me, with a long-term illness, to be more aware of the changes that occur in life. I have the strength and confidence to deal with change and emotions,” Brody said.
