Can reading emotions explain social struggles in MS?
NCT ID NCT02708927
First seen Aug 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 28, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers are asking whether people with multiple sclerosis who have trouble reading emotions also face more difficulties in family life, friendships, and social integration. The study compares three groups: MS patients with emotional processing problems, MS patients without such problems, and healthy volunteers. Participants undergo clinical, cognitive, and psychological evaluations, and their social functioning is measured through questionnaires. The goal is to understand if emotional processing deficits are linked to reduced social participation and quality of life in MS.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If this study succeeds, it could clarify how emotional processing problems affect social life in MS, pointing toward ways to support patients' relationships and quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, so it cannot prove cause and effect. The findings may not apply to all people with MS, and the study is relatively small.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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91 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2016
- Finished
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Jan 2019
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 45 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria (patient group): * Age 18-45 years; * MS diagnosis according to McDonald criteria (Polman et al., 2005); * RRMS; * Disease duration \< 15 years; * Fluent French speaker; * Have a significant other (family members or close friends) who was willing to complete the informant questionnaire BAFQ; * Being affiliated to health insurance; * Having signed an informed consent (later than the day of inclusion and before any examination required by research). Inclusion Criteria (healthy control): * Age 18-45 years * Fluent French speaker; * Have a significant other (family members or close friends) who was willing to complete the informant questionnaire BAFQ. * Being affiliated to health insurance * Having signed an informed consent (later than the day of inclusion and before any examination required by research) Exclusion Criteria (patient group): * Other progressive neurological disease; * psychiatric comorbidity including severe depression according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV); * alcohol or other addiction to toxic; * EDSS\> 6; * Disabling visual or motor problems preventing participation to neuropsychological assessments; * relapse since less than one month; * change of disease-modifying therapy or psychotropic drug since less than three month; * change of psychotropic drug since less than one month; * Prior neuropsychological testing with the same tests less than one year prevents the participant to participate at this study. * Illiteracy, is unable to count or to read; * Being under guardianship. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women; Exclusion Criteria (healthy control): * History of neurological disease; * family history of MS; * psychiatric comorbidity including severe depression according to DSMIV; * alcohol or other toxic addiction; * usage of psychotropic drugs; * Known cognitive complaint or neuropsychological affection; * Prior neuropsychological testing with the same tests less than one year prevents the participant to participate at this study. * Illiteracy, is unable to count or to read; * Being under guardianship. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women;
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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CHU de Bordeaux
Bordeaux, 33000, France
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CHU de Dijon
Dijon, 21079, France
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