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@ARTICLE{Heyne:281635,
author = {Heyne, Svenja and Kuzmanova, Adelina and Esser, Peter and
Linse, Katharina and Günther, René and Mehnert-Theuerkauf,
Anja and Metelmann, Moritz},
title = {{H}ow can we reduce psychological burden for patients of
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their family caregivers? -
{I}nsights from the participatory multi-method study
'potenti{ALS}'.},
journal = {BMC neurology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
issn = {1471-2377},
address = {London},
publisher = {BioMed Central},
reportid = {DZNE-2025-01158},
pages = {414},
year = {2025},
abstract = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal
motor neuron disease that severely impacts patients'
physical and emotional well-being, while also imposing
significant burdens on family caregivers. Despite the high
psychosocial demands as part of the multidimensional burden,
evidence for effective interventions remains limited. This
study employed a participatory approach to assess the
support needs of ALS patients and caregivers and to evaluate
their preferences for psychosocial therapies to derive a
therapeutic framework.In this observational multi-method
study, ALS patients, their family caregivers, and healthcare
professionals (HCPs) were actively involved throughout the
research process. Quantitative Data were collected through
structured questionnaires assessing quality of life (e.g.,
MQoL, SEIQoL-Q), depression and anxiety (ADI-12, HADS), and
caregiver burden (BSFC-s). Feedback was obtained through
structured group sessions that combined brief introductions,
practical exercises, and subsequent evaluations of four
therapy approaches - cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),
psychodynamic therapy (PT), acceptance and commitment
therapy (ACT), and meaning-centered therapy (MCT).14
patients, 17 caregivers and nine HCPs participated in the
study. Among patients, ACT was the most frequently selected
$(37.5\%),$ followed by CBT $(31.3\%),$ MCT $(18.8\%),$ and
PT $(12.5\%)$ with similar distribution in caregiver
attendance. Across all therapy approaches, both patients and
caregivers rated the beneficial aspects highly (mean scores
of 4.18, and 4.12, respectively, on a scale from 1 to 5) and
identified relatively few limitations (mean scores of 2.18
and 2.09, respectively, on a scale from 1 to 5). HCPs
corroborated these findings, noting that while the therapies
were effective in offering emotional support and
facilitating open dialogue, challenges such as time
constraints and adapting interventions for speech
limitations remain. Notably, caregivers showed a strong
preference for individualized therapy, while patients
favored a mix of individual and group formats.Our study
highlights the distinct yet interconnected psychosocial
needs of ALS patients and their caregivers. Tailored
interventions should blend emotional support, open dialogue,
and a structured therapeutic framework, while also
emphasizing the need for adaptable delivery models in
clinical practice. These findings support the development of
scalable, patient-centered psychosocial support approaches
as part of the multidimensional care in ALS.The trial is
registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (number: NCT06441448,
registration date: May 28, 2024).},
keywords = {Humans / Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: psychology /
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: therapy / Male / Caregivers:
psychology / Female / Middle Aged / Aged / Quality of Life:
psychology / Adult / Cost of Illness / Surveys and
Questionnaires / Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: methods /
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Other) / Family caregivers
(Other) / Participatory approach (Other) / Psychotherapy
(Other) / Supportive care (Other)},
cin = {AG Falkenburger},
ddc = {610},
cid = {I:(DE-2719)1710012},
pnm = {353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-353},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)16},
pubmed = {pmid:41057832},
doi = {10.1186/s12883-025-04440-w},
url = {https://pub.dzne.de/record/281635},
}