robert-simpson

Designing self-compassion treatment for people with multiple sclerosis

Robert Simpson

MD, PhD

Specialist Physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Barlo MS clinic at St Michael's Hospital, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

Award: 2024 Compassion and Artificial Intelligence Grant

Themes:
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Self-compassion

Self-compassion refers to an attitude of kindness and caring directed towards one’s self, especially so at times of difficulty and distress. In this project Robert and colleagues at Unity Health will assess how people with multiple sclerosis experience training in online mindful-self compassion, a treatment designed to help manage stress. It is important to not assume that treatments designed for general populations are automatically suitable for people with multiple sclerosis and thus we will engage those with lived experience and invite them to participate in a standard online mindful-self compassion course and help us identify what works, what does not, and why. This will help us make any necessary modifications to the treatment content and delivery to make it optimally relevant and usable for people with multiple sclerosis.