Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42321924›Full record

ReviewPilot and feasibility studies2026

Co-development of a protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial of CIRCuiTS™ cognitive remediation therapy for people with multiple sclerosis.

Rebecca J Thomas, Matteo Cella, Peter A Brex, Eli Silber, Kate Fifield, Patrick Burke, Mary Summers, Sara Simblett, Til Wykes

Registry-linked trialAbstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Pilot and feasibility studies, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06877273 (CIRCuiTS MS), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06877273 naactive not recruitingnot on this map

CIRCuiTS MS: Improving Cognitive Recovery in Multiple Sclerosis

TypeinterventionalSponsorKing's College LondonRan2025 to 2026Enrolled24ConditionsMultiple SclerosisArmsCIRCuiTS-MS
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Rebecca J ThomasDepartment of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK. Rebecca.j.thomas@kcl.ac.uk.
Matteo CellaDepartment of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Peter A BrexDepartment of Neurology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Eli SilberDepartment of Neurology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Kate FifieldDepartment of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Patrick BurkeCIRCuiTS MS Steering Committee, King's College London, London, UK.
Mary SummersBlackheath Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre, London, UK.
Sara Simblett *Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Til Wykes *Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCognitive difficulties are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and predict poorer quality of life, yet effective treatment is lacking. Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) improves functioning in individuals with severe mental health conditions and could benefit people with MS if adequately adapted. Recognising patient and public involvement (PPI) benefits in developing acceptable interventions, this study engaged people with MS to develop a protocol to assess the feasibility of delivering a computerised, therapist-assisted CRT programme (CIRCuiTS™) to people with MS. This paper describes this process and presents the trial protocol, highlighting how PPI informed the study design and treatment implementation.

methodsProtocol co-development involved three phases of consultation with people with MS. First, the PPI lead, who has MS, contributed along with mental health professionals to the design draft. Second, co-development using an observational qualitative design was conducted with people with MS in a structured 2-day workshop. Workshop discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically to arrive at 24 specific, actionable recommendations. These recommendations, alongside statistical input, guided the trial design. Finally, a separate PPI group provided feedback on the trial documents. The proposed trial will recruit 24 people with MS experiencing cognitive difficulties from a UK NHS service, randomly assigning them to receive a 12-week CIRCuiTS™ MS programme immediately or after a 13-week wait. This relatively short waiting period was recommended as likely to maintain engagement. Standard CIRCuiTS™ delivery will be adapted to MS needs by offering remote sessions, dexterity tailoring and MS-specific therapist training. Primary outcomes are feasibility and acceptability. Guided by PPI-anticipated benefits, the secondary outcomes will be goal attainment, cognition, fatigue, mood, and daily functioning. Two people with MS continue to guide the study in the oversight group and a PPI Advisory group will provide ongoing advice on trial management. DISCUSSION: PPI, as recommended in the new CONSORT 2025 statement, strengthened the feasibility and acceptability of the trial by addressing challenges and shaping the protocol. This collaboration enhances the evaluation of CRT for people with MS and provides a model for transparent PPI reporting in trial development.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06877273, 14th March 2025.

Identifiers

PMID42321924
PMCPMC13527947

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.