| NEWS RELEASE |
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Office of External Communications |
Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Contact:
Mike Emery |
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VOLUNTEERS FOR NEW DEPRESSION STUDY‘ People with multiple sclerosis (MS) face daily physical challenges that often trigger depression. To aid MS patients who are experiencing depression, University of Houston researchers and the Lone Star Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS) are developing a new group therapy program. This self-management therapy program teaches people about the nature of depression and how to counteract different components of the disorder. Volunteers with MS are being sought to participate in a pilot study of this program. There is no cost to participate, and all volunteers will receive a small stipend to cover the cost of transportation. The study is being overseen by Lynn P. Rehm, UH professor of psychology, and Houston psychologist Roberta Diddel. It will be conducted at the MSS offices at 8111 N. Stadium Dr., Suite 100 in Houston. “About half of the patients with MS will develop a serious depression during their lifetime,” Diddel said. “In addition to causing distress for patients, depression may complicate or exacerbate cognitive dysfunction in MS patients, so there is reason to approach this problem aggressively. This study focuses on teaching patients active coping strategies to help them manage their depressive symptoms.” To volunteer for this study or for more information, contact Lissa Cameron at Lone Star MSS at 713-526-8967.
For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom. |
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