Exploring social moderators of telehealth treatment outcomes for adults with multiple sclerosis: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: Relationships play a pivotal role in improving health and functioning for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), with social support often intertwined in self-management interventions. We explored social factors as moderators and nonspecific predictors of treatment outcomes in two telehealth interventions for pain, fatigue, and mood among individuals with MS. RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: = 88) intervention. Marital status and perceived social support at baseline were examined as potential moderators and nonspecific predictors of primary (pain interference, fatigue impact, and depressive symptom severity) and secondary treatment outcomes (participants' perceptions of the intervention). RESULTS: Social factors did not moderate treatment outcomes. Regression analyses revealed significant main effects of perceived social support as nonspecific predictors; individuals with higher perceived social support endorsed significantly lower pain interference, greater therapeutic working alliance, and greater treatment helpfulness at posttreatment, regardless of treatment condition. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The extent of social support perceived by adults with MS appears to be a better predictor of pain interference following two telehealth interventions than the type of intervention itself (self-management vs. MS education). Clinicians and researchers are encouraged to utilize a biopsychosocial framework in assessment, conceptualization, and treatment of adults with MS. Future investigations may consider modifying treatments to address social factors or incorporating social support into treatment, such as through dyadic intervention strategies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).