A tailored online intervention for depression in MS: ACTION-MS Online

Associate Professor Litza Kiropoulos is leading a new study called the ACTION-MS Online trial, aimed at evaluating a web-based program to support people with MS who experience mild to moderate depression. Depression is a common challenge for individuals with MS, and while treatments are available, accessible MS-specific interventions are limited.

The ACTION-MS Online program has been shaped by valuable insights from people living with MS, their carers, and healthcare professionals, gathered through focus groups to ensure it meets their specific needs and experiences. This innovative, web-based initiative provides a convenient way for individuals to manage mild to moderate depressive symptoms from the comfort of their home.

This trial will examine several important factors: feasibility (how well the program can be delivered online), acceptability (how well it meets participants’ needs), satisfaction, and overall effectiveness of ACTION-MS Online in reducing depression. Building on previous successful MS depression trials, Associate Professor Kiropoulos and her team will use established clinical trials infrastructure and recruitment methods that have been developed in earlier studies to enrol participants and gather data.

The goal of the ACTION-MS Online trial is to assess whether this type of intervention could become a standard, widely accessible option in clinical practice. If successful, ACTION-MS Online could be offered as a free resource for people with MS both nationally and globally, providing an effective tool for managing depression and improving quality of life. This trial represents an important step toward making mental health support more accessible for people with MS everywhere.