Background

People with MS experience a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue [1]. At least two-thirds of people with MS report clinically significant fatigue [2] that negatively impacts employment [3], quality of life [4] and ability to engage in a full range of daily activities [5, 6]. People who have MS describe fatigue as frustrating, overwhelming, and disabling [7]. Presence of MS fatigue has been linked to increased risk of falls [8], comorbidities [9], and use of health care services among people with the disease [10].

MS fatigue has both primary and secondary components, that is, it is both intrinsic to the disease and a function of factors such as deconditioning, poor sleep and nutrition, and stress [6, 11]. As a consequence, management of this symptom can be challenging. To date, treatments have included medications and the rehabilitative approaches of energy management training, cognitive behavioral therapy, and exercise [12, 13]. Across these options, medications are the least effective [14]. Trials of rehabilitative options have uncovered effect sizes in the moderate range [14], with energy management training and cognitive behavioral therapy demonstrating effectiveness for a broader range of people with MS (e.g., levels of disability, age, etc.) [14].

The major limitation of all existing and effective approaches for managing MS fatigue is that they require the individual with MS to participate in a structured, time-limited program that has a fixed sequence of topics and activities. In some cases, participation requires travel to a treatment site [15, 16]. Although internet options exist [13, 17], regular and scheduled participation are still required. Adult learning theory suggests that self-directed approaches to learning and behaviour change may be more effective than structured approaches because they allow adults to maintain their own self-concept; build on life experiences, social roles and motivations; and facilitate immediate application of knowledge in daily life [18]. In addition, literature on self-management suggests that supporting individuals to take control of their chronic conditions leads to better health outcomes [19, 20]. Together, the limitations of existing interventions, knowledge of adult learning theory, and principles of self-management led our team to ask whether a self-directed MS fatigue management intervention would enable people with MS to reduce the impact of this symptom on their daily life. In response, we developed MS INFoRm (Multiple Sclerosis: An Interactive Fatigue Management Resource) which incorporates approaches previously identified as being effective for managing MS fatigue [14].

The initial version of MS INFoRm (initially developed in 2012) was an interactive Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation with embedded hyperlinks to worksheets and pdf files, with the entire resource provided via USB key. The contents of MS INFoRM include ways to monitor fatigue, information on how to effectively communicate with others about MS fatigue and when and where to go for help. It also explains several common secondary sources of fatigue (depression, sleep disorders, medications, lack of physical activity, mental exertion) and offers evidence-based energy management strategies that can be used in the context of daily life. We have published pilot findings from the original USB version of MS INFoRm in which 35 individuals with MS who reported mild to moderate fatigue were provided with MS INFoRm to use at home for 3 months, on their own volition [21]. Participants reported actively using MS INFoRm over this period. Three-month use of MS INFoRm was associated with significant reductions in fatigue impact, increased knowledge of MS fatigue, and greater confidence in managing MS fatigue. Our pilot study also included qualitative analysis of semi-structured interview with participants, which revealed that 3-month use of MS INFoRm was associated with shifts in knowledge, expectations, and behaviours with respect to fatigue management. These shifts led to multiple positive outcomes, including increased levels of self-confidence and improved quality of life [22].

Given our promising pilot results, the need for easily accessible interventions that can be used independently to support self-management skill development, we will now conduct a further larger randomized controlled trial of a website version of MS INFoRm. The trial will randomly assign an anticipated 200 participants to one of two conditions: (1) 3-month access to the MS INFoRm intervention website and (2) 3-month access to a “usual care” control website that provides widely available fatigue management resources. The control website was designed to represent the usual care and resources that persons with MS are directed to by their physicians or other health care providers. The specific aims and hypotheses are described below.

Specific aim 1

Our first aim is to determine the effectiveness and efficacy of 3-month use of MS INFoRm on fatigue impact among persons with MS. Our primary outcome will be measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) [23]. We hypothesize that the MS INFoRm group will show significant reductions in fatigue impact compared to the usual care control group.

Specific aim 2

Our second aim is to determine whether 3-month use of MS INFoRm results in improvement in secondary outcomes of self- efficacy for managing MS fatigue, self-reported cognitive function, depression, and participation and autonomy. The measures we will use to evaluate these outcomes are the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale (MSSES) [24], the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ) [25], Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) [26], and Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (IPA) [27] respectively. We hypothesize that the MS INFoRm group will show significant improvements in self-efficacy for managing MS fatigue, self-reported cognitive function, participation and autonomy, and significant reductions in depression, compared to the usual care control group.

Specific aim 3

Our third and final aim is to determine whether any improvements in primary and secondary outcomes are maintained among the MS INFoRm users after 6-months. We hypothesize that the beneficial effects of MS INFoRm will be maintained at 6-month follow-up.

Methods

Study design, recruitment and location

This study will utilize a parallel group, two arm, superiority trial with a 1:1 allocation. Both participants and outcome assessors are blinded to group allocation. Participants will be recruited from across Canada via internet advertisements (MS Society of Canada Research Portal and MS group social media pages based in Canada). Participants will also be recruited from 3 MS clinics in Edmonton, Calgary, and Kingston located in academic hospitals (University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Queen’s University) by having MS clinic staff hand out study flyers. A last method of recruitment will be study flyers placed within the local Kingston, Ontario community. Our expected recruitment is 50 participants per site (Edmonton, Calgary, Kingston) and another 50 participants from internet advertisements. All recruitment methods will direct potential participants to contact the research team located at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. All screening of participants, provision of website access and troubleshooting, and baseline and outcome assessment will be conducted by the research team at Queen’s University. Recruitment started in January 2018 and is anticipated to be completed by May 2019. If recruitment strategies are failing to generate necessary numbers of participants, backup sites for additional recruitment have been identified.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible for participation, an individual must: (1) have MS, (2) be between 18 and 65 years of age, (3) have access to a computer or other electronic device with internet access on which to review MS INFoRm, (4) have an average score between 2.0 and 5.4 across the 9 items of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) [28], and (5) live in Canada. This last inclusion criteria is to minimize any confounding that may be introduced by differences in usual care across health care systems. Individuals will be excluded if they have any one of the following: (1) any major comorbid conditions that might influence fatigue management (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive lung disease, chronic fatigue syndrome), (2) report difficulty reading and comprehending English, (3) report upper extremity or visual impairments that cannot be accommodated adequately to enable computer access, (4) report depression based on a Patient Health Questionnaire-2 score [29] of 3 or more, (5) demonstrate evidence of cognitive impairment based on a Short Blessed Test [30] score or 12 or more.

Group allocation

Group allocation will be based on a random permutated block design, using computerized random number generation. This design was selected because it ensures a 1:1 allocation ratio between the intervention group and the control group and because it will effectively reduce any risk of a systematic bias that may confound the treatment effect (i.e., people from the same MS clinic enrolling sequentially). The block size, which is fixed, will not be disclosed, to ensure concealment. One hundred people will be allocated to the MS INFoRm group and 100 to the usual care control group.

All eligible participants will be provided with a study identification number and password to access the MS INFoRm website. Using the block randomization process described above, each study ID has been assigned to one of the two groups by two of the study investigators. A password-protected file, and the MS INFoRm administrator website, which includes the group allocation for each Study ID, is only be accessible by two of the study investigators. Upon login, participants in the MS INFoRm intervention group will be directed to the intervention website whereas participants in the usual care control group will be directed to the usual care website. Participants will be provided with access to the website for 3-months from time of baseline assessment. Participants will access the website at their own volition, and not be directed on how often to use it as the nature of the intervention is self-directed, in order to replicate real-world use.

MS INFoRm intervention website

A description of the sections, content, and features of the MS INFoRm intervention website is provided in Table 1.

Table 1 MS INFoRm intervention website content and features
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Usual care website

The usual care website includes links to widely available brochures/ pdfs published by the MS Society of Canada entitled “MS Fatigue” [31] and “Living Well With MS: Managing Fatigue” [32]. These pdfs were chosen as they are resources to which clinicians, including those on the research team, often direct their MS patients. A brief description of the contents of each brochure/ pdf is provided on the website prior to presenting the link. The usual care website was designed to visually resemble the intervention website in order to facilitate blinding. We acknowledge, however, that some participants might be able to recognize that they have been allocated to the usual care control group if they have been previously exposed to the usual care resources.

Primary outcome

A timeline of data collection of all measures is provided in Table 2. The primary outcome measure is the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale [23]. This 21-item scale assesses the impact of fatigue on daily functioning during the last 4 weeks. Each item asks about how fatigue has interfered with a particular life situation (e.g., “Because of my fatigue, I have been less motivated to participate in social activities.” “Because of my fatigue, I have been less able to complete tasks that require physical effort.”) Respondents indicate the impact of their fatigue on a scale of 0 (never) to 4 (almost always), resulting in a total score and three sub-scores (physical, cognitive and psychosocial). Higher scores indicate more severe impact of fatigue on daily life. The MFIS has been found to have good psychometric properties among people with MS [33].

Table 2 Time points and measures collected at study enrollment and three assessment time points for all participants
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Secondary outcomes

Four secondary outcomes will be measured, including self-efficacy, perceived cognitive function, depression, and participation and autonomy. Self-efficacy will be measured using the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale (MSSES) [24], which consists of 14 items. Respondents rate the degree to which they believe they can overcome challenges using a 6-point Likert scale, ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. A high score indicates high self-efficacy. Validity, reliability and sensitivity to change of the MSSES has been established [24].

The Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ) will be used to measure perceived cognitive function [25]. The full-length PDQ consists of 20 items assessing the cognitive functions most commonly affected in MS: attention, retrospective memory, prospective memory, and planning and organization. Respondents rate problems in these areas according to their frequency from 0 (never) to 4 (almost always) in the past 4 weeks, with higher scores indicating worse perceived cognitive functioning. The PDQ was developed specifically for persons with MS [25], and is associated with objective cognitive performance [34].

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) will be used to measure depression [26]. The CES-D has been found to be a valid and reliable scale to assess depressive symptomatology in MS [35]. This measure consists of 20 items describing depression-related symptoms that are rated according to frequency in the last week from 0 (rarely or none of the time) to 3 (all of the time). A cut-off score of 16 or higher is suggestive of clinically significant depressive symptoms [26].

The Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (IPA) will be used to measure participation and autonomy [27, 36]. The IPA provides a measure of limitations in participation and autonomy and is a commonly used measure for evaluating rehabilitation outcomes in individuals with chronic disease, including MS [37, 38]. The tool includes 39 questions across 5 domains: autonomy indoors, autonomy outdoors, family role, social life and relationships, and work and education. Participants rate each item on scale from 0 (very good) to 4 (very poor). The scoring captures how likely respondents feel they will be able to participate in a described activity or how their disability impacts their ability to participate. Higher scores indicate greater restrictions. The IPA has been shown to have strong psychometric properties, including reliability, validity and responsiveness to intervention [36, 37, 39].

Sample size

We seek to recruit a total of 200 individuals. The total number of individuals to be recruited is based on calculations of sample size and power for a balanced independent-groups mixed effect model with three time points for our primary outcome (i.e., fatigue impact at baseline, 3 months, 6-months post use). The effect sizes, variances and covariance estimates were obtained from our pilot results [21]. Calculations take into account potential attrition over time, which could be as high as 34% based on our pilot study. This high attrition rate, however, was likely due to limited persistence of research staff for follow-up assessments, which we will attempt to remediate in the proposed project.

Data collection and management

Screening, baseline, 3-month, and 6-month interviews will be conducted by research assistants, each provided with same training, and blinded to group allocation. Reminders will be given to participants 2–3 days prior to each interview. Four attempts, using different methods of contact, will be made for participants we have been unable to reach for 3-month or 6-month follow-up interviews. For individuals who withdraw from the study, the reasons for withdrawal will be documented, if discoverable.

At screening, each individual will be assigned a Study ID that will be used for all subsequent data collection and analysis in order to maintain anonymity. A list linking Study ID to personal identifying information (name, age, contact information) will be stored in a password-protected file to which only two of the study investigators and the research assistants will have access to. Hard copies of interview data will be kept in a locked filing cabinet at the main site (Queen’s University). As data are collected during the study, the research assistants will code and enter the data into a database created in IBM SPSS Statistics Version 24. All data files will be stored on an encrypted drive on the Queen’s University server to which only two of the study investigators and research assistants will have access. Data back-ups will occur daily using an encrypted external hard drive.

Website usage data

User analytic data will be collected from the website (from both groups) in order to track the number of times the site is accessed, length of each visit, specific pages visited, time spent on each page, which worksheets and links were accessed and how often, and to capture all fatigue ratings and goal data entered. These data will be collected to identify delivery fidelity (did participants access all components of the website) and for descriptive analysis of usage patterns and impact of use on outcomes.

Statistical analysis

All data will be analyzed in IBM SPSS Statistics Version 24. Scores on all outcome measures will be calculated according to manual instructions for each measure. Unusually high or low values will be checked against the raw data to confirm accuracy. Descriptive statistics will be calculated for each variable for both the intervention and usual care control group. Score distributions will be checked to ensure that distributional assumptions are met for the hypothesis testing step of the analysis.

The MS INFoRm and usual care groups will be compared on baseline measures and key demographic and disease-related variables that may influence study outcomes (e.g. age, disease duration, education level) to test equivalence of groups. Independent samples t-tests will be used for continuous variables with a normal distribution, Mann Whitney U tests for non-normally distributed data, and chi-square tests for categorical variables. If differences are found, these variables will be used as covariates during hypothesis testing to ensure that group differences at baseline are not responsible for differences in outcomes.

For individuals lost to follow-up, their data will be used in the statistical analysis in the effectiveness analysis as per an intention to treat approach [40]. These individuals will remain in the same group as randomized. The advantage of this approach is that the estimated effect of the intervention will reflect the effect that would actually be achieved in the real world (i.e., effectiveness analysis) when people have differential motivation to use MS INFoRm. Missing data will be imputed using the strategy of last observation carried forward, as this is the most conservative [41].

Hypothesis 1 states that the MS INFoRm group will show significant reductions in fatigue impact compared to the usual care control group. In order to test hypothesis 1, changes between baseline and 3-month scores on the MFIS will be compared between the MS INFoRm group and the usual care control group using an independent t-test. If the testing for group equivalence indicates that there are baseline differences between the groups at baseline, an analysis of variance with covariates will be used to test hypothesis 1. A p < 0.05 will be used as the significance value. In order to test efficacy, or whether MS INFoRm works when delivered as intended, data from only those individuals who have complete baseline and 3-month data and have accessed all of the website content at least once will be used in the analysis. In order to test effectiveness, participants who have missing 3-month scores will be assigned a change score of zero.

Hypothesis 2 states that the MS INFoRm group will show significant improvements in self-efficacy for managing MS fatigue, self-reported cognitive function, participation and autonomy, and significant reductions in depression, compared to the usual care control group. The analysis will use the same approach as hypothesis 1, using zero-value change scores for individuals lost to follow-up. A Bonferroni adjustment will be applied for multiple testing, and therefore the significance value will be set at p < 0.0125 (0.05/4 tests).

Hypothesis 3 states that the beneficial effects of MS INFoRm will be maintained at 6-month follow-up. To address this hypothesis, a mixed-effect ANOVA will be used with an unstructured variance-covariance structure, a random intercept and terms for both a linear and quadratic trend. A quadratic trend would be characterized by a sharp improvement immediately post-intervention (3-months), followed by a gradual stabilization of improvement. The five measures (MFIS, MSSES, PDQ, CES-D, and IPA) will be modelled simultaneously and individually. When modelled simultaneously, a significance value of p < 0.05 will be used. When modelled individually, a Bonferroni adjustment will be applied for multiple testing, and therefore the significance value will be set at p < 0.01 (0.05/5 tests).

Research ethics approval

This trial has already received research ethics approval from the Queen’s University Health Sciences & Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board (HSREB), the University of Alberta Health Research Ethics Board- Health Panel, and the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (CHREB). Any protocol modifications (e.g. changes in eligibility criteria, participant handouts, study personnel) will be submitted as amendments to all ethics committees. Written informed consent to participate will be obtained by the research assistants prior to baseline data collection for individuals screened and deemed eligible for the study. These consent forms will be stored in a locked filing cabinet at the main site (Queen’s University), separately from other data collected for the study.

As there are no major harms or risks associated with this study, no data monitoring committee will be formed. Furthermore, no provision of ancillary and post-trial care, interim analysis, or formal auditing is planned. However, monthly teleconferences will be scheduled with all study investigators in order to provide updates on recruitment, data collection, and analysis, and any difficulties encountered throughout the trial (e.g. with recruitment, withdrawals).

Dissemination plan

Academic dissemination strategies will be pursued such as local, national, and international conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal articles. Authorship eligibility will be determined based on criteria of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors [42]. We will also disseminate findings via social media and sharing with appropriate stakeholders. Should the results warrant (i.e. hypotheses are supported), we will work with our website developers and business innovators to find ways to maintain the website and make it broadly available to people with MS through MS clinics, MS support groups and other networks for adults living with MS. The trial protocol is listed in the ClinicalTrials.gov database (identifier: NCT03362541). Final trial data will only be accessible to the study investigators. However, individual data requests can be submitted by contacting the principal investigator directly.

Discussion

If this trial shows that the MS INFoRm website is effective, it could lead to major improvements in access to fatigue management information for people with MS in Canada and beyond. Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms experienced by people with MS. While this resource will not cure MS or MS fatigue, it is important to have easily accessible and individualized options for fatigue management that people with MS can access and return to whenever they need the information. If effective, the MS INFoRm website could be made widely available to people living with MS and its format could be used as a model to create similar resources for the management of other MS symptoms.

With respect to limitations, difficulties could be encountered with respect to recruitment of our anticipated target sample size of 200 participants. As such, we have an additional back-up site if needed. Further hindering our recruitment efforts could be the strict inclusion/ exclusion criteria for this study, especially with respect to fatigue severity. We note, however, that MS INFoRm is not intended for everyone, but is specifically targeted to those reporting mild to moderate levels of fatigue. Other potential limitations include that some participants in the usual care control group may become un-blinded upon seeing the usual care webpage despite our efforts to make both the intervention and control pages look similar. It is possible that participants may share login information with others, which we cannot control or track. There is possibility of technical problems as new versions of browsers or devices become available. To minimize this risk, we will conduct regular checks of the website functionality and work closely with the web developer to make decisions about site changes if they become necessary because of technology updates. Finally, due to lack of supervision when using the website, users may get distracted and leave the website idle, which may bias any descriptive analysis of user analytic data. As a potential safeguard against this, users will be logged out and forced to log back in again after 30 min of non-use. Despite such limitations, using a web-based platform will make MS INFoRm a widely accessible tool for persons with MS trying to manage debilitating fatigue.