A Randomized Trial of Two Formal Group Programs for Multiple Sclerosis

The purpose of this study is to compare two different educational programs for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a common and often disabling disease of the central nervous system. MS causes many symptoms including difficulty walking, loss of balance or muscle coordination, fatigue, numbness and tingling and stiffness. The investigators want to determine which program is better at helping improve quality of life and MS symptoms. Both programs use material from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). Both programs include 6 weekly 2-hour class sessions. Up to 600 participants will be enrolled total in 4 VA sites, with about 150 at each site. There will be 10 study visits, all to occur within 11 months. These include 1 baseline visit, 6 two-hour class visits, and 3 follow-up data collection visits. The participants in Portland will also participate in a final 12 month followup visit. Participants will be randomly (by chance) assigned to be part of either group education program. They will have a 1:1 or 50% chance of being in either program.