Randomized Controlled Trial to Improve Self-Efficacy in People With Multiple Sclerosis: The Community Reintegration for Socially Isolated Patients (CRISP) Program

OBJECTIVE. We examined the efficacy of a 12-wk educational socialization program, Community Reintegration for Socially Isolated Patients (CRISP), in improving self-efficacy for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). We also examined whether participants in the experimental group with increased self-efficacy experienced reduced loneliness and depression. METHOD. This randomized controlled group design included 91 participants with MS (experimental group, n = 51; control group, n = 40). Participants were between ages 20 and 68 yr, and the majority experienced a relapsing-remitting MS course (86%) and mild to moderate disability. Participants completed baseline and post-treatment assessments, including questionnaires assessing self-efficacy, loneliness, and depression. RESULTS. Experimental group participants significantly improved in self-efficacy compared with control group participants. Experimental group participants who demonstrated improved self-efficacy reported reduced perceptions of loneliness but not depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION. CRISP is a promising intervention to improve self-efficacy for people with MS. However, results need to be treated with caution given the study's limitations.