# Optimizing a Telehealth Behavioral Intervention for Fatigue in People with Multiple Sclerosis

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $161,568

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract: Lindsey Knowles, PhD is a psychologist and postdoctoral fellow in the University
of Washington (UW) and VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) Seattle Collaborative Fellowship
in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Rehabilitation Research. She is fully committed to becoming an independently
funded investigator who develops, optimizes, and evaluates theory-driven, implementable interventions to
improve symptoms, psychosocial function, and quality of life in adults with chronic health conditions/disability.
Dr. Knowles is an ideal candidate for this field of research given her strong background in observational and
intervention research on stress and coping and advanced fellowship training in rehabilitation research. This
K23 award will provide foundational career development skills for achieving her long-term goal of optimizing
evidence-based and accessible treatment for improving symptoms, function, and quality of life in people with
chronic health conditions. The proposed project will develop, refine, and optimize a telehealth Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) intervention for fatigue in people with MS (PwMS). Findings will support a
randomized controlled trial to evaluate the optimized CBT-based intervention for MS fatigue. Career
Development and Training Plan: The proposed work will be carried out at the UW and utilize resources
within the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and VAPSHCS MS Center of Excellence West. Dr.
Knowles’s distinguished mentorship team includes Drs. Dawn Ehde (Primary Mentor; telehealth CBT and MS
expert), Aaron Turner (MS behavioral intervention expert), Linda Collins [Multiphase Optimization Strategy
(MOST) expert], and Anna Kratz (qualitative research expert). Dr. Knowles’s training goals align her research
and career plans via didactic and hands-on training in: (1) Intervention optimization and clinical trials methods
via MOST, (2) Rapid qualitative research methods, and (3) Proficiency in grantsmanship and scientific
dissemination. Research Plan: The proposed aims will address a gap in knowledge related to the active
ingredients of CBT for improving MS fatigue. This knowledge will facilitate optimization of CBT for MS fatigue
to maximize efficacy and efficiency, thereby improving implementation and accessibility. The study aims are to
(1) Develop, pilot test, and refine three telehealth CBT components for fatigue in PwMS (Relaxation Training,
Behavioral Activation, Cognitive Therapy) to maximize feasibility and acceptability; (2a) Conduct component
analysis (via factorial optimization trial) to test the main and interactive effects of the three telehealth CBT
components for improving fatigue and psychosocial function in fatigued PwMS (primary outcomes); (2b)
Assess change in hypothesized unique and common mechanisms of the three telehealth CBT components;
(2c) Evaluate the durability of outcome improvements through the 3-month follow-up. Components will be
selected for an optimized interven...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10829436
- **Project number:** 5K23HD111628-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Lindsey Major Knowles
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $161,568
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10829436

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10829436, Optimizing a Telehealth Behavioral Intervention for Fatigue in People with Multiple Sclerosis (5K23HD111628-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10829436. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*