Chronic pain is a significant issue for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), impacting daily life and overall well-being. While mindfulness interventions are effective in alleviating pain, there is considerable variation in how individuals respond to treatment. Consistent home practice is a key factor in producing therapeutic outcomes. However, a barrier to treatment success occurs when individuals fail to practice mindfulness in daily life. Technology that adapts to people’s circumstances is a promising approach to support mindfulness practice. Prior to development of this technology, it is crucial to identify the needs and perspectives of PwMS. This qualitative study will involve semi-structured interviews with 17 PwMS who have previously participated in mindfulness treatments for pain. We will ask PwMS their perspectives on a mobile health (mHealth) intervention to support mindfulness treatment for pain and gather feedback on suggested prompts and preferred methods of intervention delivery (e.g. SMS text messages) that would support mindfulness practice. A secondary aim will be to inquire about the role of mindfulness on adjustment and disability identity in PwMS. Interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed. This project will inform the development of a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) to complement a group-based mindfulness intervention for pain in PwMS.
Varela Grant
