Sarah Thomas

Dr Sarah Thomas

  • Principal Academic
  • BGB
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Biography

With a background in psychology, I completed both my BSc and PhD at the University of Southampton. I am an experienced health services researcher with expertise in developing and evaluating complex interventions for people with long-term conditions, particularly in the areas of self-management, behaviour change, fatigue and digital health. I have a longstanding interest in behavioural and cognitive approaches to improving health outcomes, with a particular focus on multiple sclerosis.

I led the development of the FACETS (Fatigue: Applying Cognitive behavioural and Energy effectiveness Techniques to lifeStyle) programme - an evidence-based group fatigue management programme for people with MS. FACETS is now used across the UK and has also had international reach, including delivery in Australia, France and Norway. A digital “light-touch” version of FACETS was launched by the MS Society in 2020, and with funding from the MS Trust, we are currently finalising and piloting a mobile app toolkit to support remote use of the programme’s interactive components...

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Journal Articles

Books

  • Thomas, S., Thomas, P., Nock, A., Slingsby, V., Baker, R. and Hillier C, 2013. A Fatigue Management Programme for People with Multiple Sclerosis (Facilitators Manual and Patient Handbook).. Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Chapters

  • Thomas, S., Pulman, A. and Robinson, J., 2020. Exergaming in Multiple Sclerosis – Bridging the Evidence-Practice Gap. Virtual Reality in Health and Rehabilitation. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Conferences

  • Turner, G., Bolderston, H., Gregory, N. and Thomas, S., 2025. The impact of ACT and CBT components on social anxiety and eye-gaze behaviour. In: ACBS World Conference 25-30 June 2019 Dublin.
  • Wang, R., Bush-Evans, R., Arden-Close, E., McAlaney, J., Hodge, S., Bolat, E., Thomas, S. and Phalp, K., 2024. Usability of Responsible Gambling Information on Gambling Operator' Websites: A Webcam-Based Eye Tracking Study. Eye Tracking Research and Applications Symposium ETRA.
  • Proudfoot, H., Thomas, S. et al., 2024. A BLENDED DIGITAL SELF-MANAGEMENT TREATMENT FOR FATIGUE IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: DESCRIBING THE PROCESS OF CO-DEVELOPING "REFUEL-MS". PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE, 86 (5), A20.
  • Huglo, A., Thomas, S., Shapland, S., Laslett, L., Taylor, B., Honan, C., Emery, H. and van der Mei, I., 2024. Enhancing workplace empowerment for people with multiple sclerosis via MS WorkSmart: Findings from a randomized controlled feasibility study. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL, 30 (2), 30.
  • Huglo, A., Thomas, S., Shapland, S., Laslett, L., Taylor, B., Honan, C. and van der Mei, I., 2024. Maximizing work productivity and employment retention: preliminary findings from the MS WorkSmart feasibility study for working Australians with multiple sclerosis. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL, 30 (4), 42.
  • Turner, G., Mant, J., Greaves, C., Thomas, S., Greenfield, S. and Helliwell, B., 2024. Post-Stroke Fatigue: Co-Production Of A Web-Based, SelfManagement Programme. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, 19 (3_SUPPL), 41.
  • Singleton, H., Cui, Y., Ersser, S., Holley, D., Arden-Close, E., Thomas, S., Yang, X. and Roberts, A., 2023. Non-pharmacological interventions for eczema to distract children from itch. In: EADV 11-14 October 2023 Berlin.
  • Singleton, H., Thomas, S., Ersser, S., Arden-Close, E., Holley, D., Yang, X. and Glithro, R., 2023. Distraction for childhood eczema. In: 34th International Sigma Nursing Research Congress 20-23 July 2023 Abu Dhabi.
  • Singleton, H., Ersser, S., Arden-Close, E., Thomas, S., Holley, D. and Yang, X., 2022. Eczema Research. In: Sigma London and the South Hub Conference 6 April 2022 Virtual.
  • Wolfensberger, P., Hahn, S., van Teijlingen, E. and Thomas, S., 2020. Creating Meaning - People Living with Mental Illness in Switzerland. In: Lomba, L., Parola, V., Costa, P., Feilzardo, H., Santos, M., Silva, M., Neves, M., Morgado, T., Casaleiro, T. and Bernardes, R., eds. STTI 5th Biennial European Conference 28-29 May 2020 Virtual / Coimbra - Portugal. Book of Abstracts, 41 Coimbra, Portugal: Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra.
  • Hamelin, F., Gay, M.C., Thomas, S., Thomas, P. and Heinzlef, O., 2020. The Challenge of Maintaining Therapeutic Benefits over the Long Term: Example of Adding 4 Reactivation Sessions to a Cognitive-Behavioural Fatigue Management Program for People with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. NEUROLOGY, 94 (15).
  • Smith, A.D. et al., 2020. Multi-disciplinary approach to linking treatment and research in MS related fatigue. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL, 26 (2_SUPPL), 48-49.
  • Goodwin, E., Green, C., Boddy, K., Freeman, J., Thomas, S., Chataway, J. and Hawton, A., 2020. Exploring the relevance and validity of wellbeing measures that can be used in cost-effectiveness analysis in the context of multiple sclerosis. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL, 26 (3_SUPPL), 607.
  • Hamelin, F., Gay, M.C., Thomas, S., Thomas, P., Heinzlef, O., Barbot, F. and Blanchere, M., 2020. Effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral program for fatigue (facets +) in 110 french patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized, controlled trial. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL, 26 (3_SUPPL), 636.
  • Nyman, S.R., Ingram, W., Sanders, J., Thomas, P.W., Thomas, S., Vassallo, M., Raftery, J., Bibi, I. and Barrado-Martín, Y., 2019. Randomised controlled trial of the effect of Tai Chi on postural balance of people with dementia. In: 1st World Congress on Falls and Postural Stability 4-7 December 2019 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • van Kessel, K., Babbage, D., Kersten, P., Thomas, P., Thomas, S., Sezier, A. and Drown, J., 2019. MS Energise: A Mobile Fatigue Management Application. In: International Society for Research on Internet Interventions ISRII: The next generation 13-15 February 2019 Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Fairbanks, B., Pulman, A., Dogan, H., Jiang, N., Pretty, K., Thomas, P. and Thomas, S., 2018. Creating a FACETS digital toolkit to promote quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis through Participatory Design. In: 2nd Workshop on Human Centred Design for Intelligent Environments (HCD4IE). The 32nd Human Computer Interaction Conference (British HCI'18) 3 July 2018 Belfast.
  • Wolfensberger, P., Thomas, S., Hahn, S. and van Teijlingen, E., 2018. Experiences of people living with mental illness in Switzerland - a qualitative inquiry. In: Horatio European Congress "Safe Settings" 10-12 May 2018 Faroe Islands. Programme and abstract book, 63 Torshavn, Faroe Islands: FPS, Faroese Psychiatric Nurses.
  • Thomas, S., 2017. Présentation d’un programme de gestion de la fatigue (‘FACETS’). In: Journées de Neurologie de Langue Français. 28-31 March 2017 Toulouse.
  • Jeanette, R., Lund, S.L., Hilde, R., Sarah, T., Peter, T. and Grethe, L.I., 2017. A modified version of a UK group-based fatigue management programme for people with MS (FACETS) for an inpatient setting in Norway. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL, 23 (6), 888-889.
  • Moss-Morris, R., Harrison, A.M., Safari, R.M., Mercer, T., Norton, S., White, C., van de Linden, M. and Thomas, S., 2017. WHICH EXERCISE OR BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS ARE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR TREATING FATIGUE IN PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)? A DETAILED SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH NETWORK META-ANALYSIS. PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE, 79 (4), A123.
  • Nyman, S.R., Hayward, C., Thomas, P., Thomas, S., Vassallo, M., Raftery, J. and Allen, H., 2016. Protocol for the TACIT trial (TAi ChI for people with demenTia): A randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of Tai Chi alongside usual care with usual care alone on the postural balance of community-dwelling people with dementia. In: 17th International Conference on Falls and Postural Stability 16 September 2016 Edinburgh, UK.
  • Ellis-Hill, C., Thomas, S. et al., 2016. HeART of Stroke - A community based Arts & Health group for people following a stroke. In: Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the world Federation of Neurological Rehabilitation 10-12 July 2016 Glasgow, UK.
  • Gracey, F. et al., 2016. Towards the abiding expanse: treatment components and processes in the HeART of Stroke¹ feasibility trial to support confidence and wellbeing post stroke. In: 13th Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the WFNR 11-12 July 2016 Glasgow , Scotland.
  • Ellis-Hill, C., Thomas, S. et al., 2016. 'HeARTof Stroke' - a community- based arts-and-health group for people following a stroke: Acceptability and preliminary findings from a randomised controlled feasibility study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE, 11, S10.
  • Ellis-Hill, C., Thomas, S. et al., 2015. Protocol and preliminary findings of a multi-centre randomised controlled feasibility study of an Arts for Health group (HeART of Stroke) to support self-confidence and wellbeing following a stroke. In: International Neuropsychological Society mid-year meeting 1-2 July 2015 Sydney.
  • Thomas, S., 2015. Enhancing adherence to behavioural interventions - the role of psychology. In: MS Frontiers 29-30 June 2015 London.
  • Thomas, S. et al., 2015. Mii-vitaliSe - Development of a physiotherapist-supported Nintendo Wii™ intervention to encourage people with multiple sclerosis to become more active in the home. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL, 21, 775.
  • Baker, R., Thomas, P. and Thomas, S., 2015. The Emotional Processing Scale;a new pan-diagnostic assessment of emotional style. In: British Psychological society Division of Clinical Psychology Annual Conference 2-4 December 2015 London.
  • Williams, S., Newell, C., Griffiths, J. and Thomas, S., 2014. MotivATE: A Pre-Treatment Motivational Enhancement Website for Eating Disorders. Development and Qualitative Evaluation. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, 22 (3), E1.
  • Thomas, S., Maclean, R., Nock, A. and de Groot, V., 2014. Group and individual programmes for fatigue management. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL, 20 (7), 1011.
  • Thomas, S., Thomas, P.W., Kersten, P., Jones, R., Green, C., Nock, A., Slingsby, V., Hillier, C.E.M., Galvin, K. and Baker, R., 2012. GROUP-BASED COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO MANAGING FATIGUE IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IS EFFECTIVE: A MULTI-CENTRE PARALLEL ARM RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL. JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY, 83 (3).
  • Thomas, S., Thomas, P., Nock, A., Slingsby, V., Galvin, K., Baker, R., Moffat, N. and Hillier, C., 2007. Development and preliminary evaluation of a fatigue management programme for people with multiple sclerosis. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, 13, S127-S128.
  • Thomas, S. and Baker, R., 2002. Loneliness & Social Isolation in Older Adults in Wales; key findings and implications for policy. In: Loneliness and isolation among older people in Wales: a half day conference 11 April 2002 Cardiff.

Reports

Theses

Posters

Others

Grants

  • Using surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation for lower limb weakness early after stroke: A randomised controlled feasibility study. (NIHR RfPB, 01 Sep 2025). Awarded
  • A randomised controlled feasibility study investigating surface neuromuscular STIMulation as an exercise therapy versus usual care in people with multiple sclerosis to help improve lower limb strength, walking and fatigue (STIM-MS) (NIHR RfPB, 01 Apr 2025). In Progress
  • A brief online emotion-based intervention to provide early support for adult patients with binge eating disorders awaiting NHS treatment: intervention acceptability, early feasibility and optimisation. (NIHR RfPB, 01 Jan 2025). In Progress
  • Adaptation and feasibility of a fatigue intervention in adults with traumatic brain injury (Department of Defense. Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, 30 Sep 2024). In Progress
  • Developing evidence and theory-informed digital videos employing a user-centred participatory approach, to support the early detection of skin cancer (EDSC) via self-examination of the skin (SSE), focused on at-risk (older men) and under-served populations (‘people of colour’) (Cancer Research UK, 01 Sep 2024). In Progress
  • COMbAT Fatigue: COproduction and evaluation of a self-MAnagemenT intervention for post-stroke Fatigue. (National Institute for Health Programme Grant, 01 Apr 2024). In Progress
  • Thomas S, Dogan H. FACETS digital toolkit: extending its reach and piloting. Nov 2023 Multiple Sclerosis Research, Treatment and Education (MSRTE). £50,628.81. (CI) (Multiple Sclerosis Trust, 01 Nov 2023). In Progress
  • Feasibility study of an intervention to provide nutritional care for people living with dementia at home (TOMATO: nuTritiOn and deMentia AT hOme) (National Institute for Health and Care Research Research for Patient Benefit, 01 Oct 2022). In Progress
  • Developing, optimising and implementing a blended digital self-management tReatmEnt for FatigUe in multiplE scLerosis (REFUEL-MS) (National Institute for Health and Care Research Programme Grants for Applied Research, 01 Oct 2022). In Progress
  • WorkSmart program: A novel online program to assist people living with MS in the workforce (IOOF, 01 Jan 2018). In Progress
  • A feasibility study of a randomised controlled trial of an Arts for Health group intervention to support self-confidence and psychological wellbeing following a stroke (NIHR RfPB, 03 Feb 2014). Completed
  • The Mii-vitaliSe study: A pilot randomised controlled trial of a home gaming system (Nintendo Wii) to increase activity levels, vitality and well-being in people with multiple sclerosis (Multiple Sclerosis Society, 01 Oct 2011). Completed
  • Weight Estimation Intended to Guide How to dose Treatment in adults in the Emergency Department (WEIGHTED) (College of Emergency Medicine, 03 Jan 2011). Completed
  • Evaluation of a pilot relapse support service for people with MS (MS Society, 01 Jan 2009). Completed
  • Multi-centre randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a group-based cognitive behavioural approach to managing fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (FACETS Trial) (MS Society, 01 Jan 2007). Completed
  • Adaptation, development, process evaluation and three centre pilot study of a fatigue management programme in multiple sclerosis (BUPA Foundation, 03 Jan 2005). Completed
  • Adaptation, development and process evaluation of a fatigue management programme in multiple sclerosis (MS Trust, 01 Jan 2004). Completed
  • Loneliness and social isolation in older adults (Age Concern Cymru/National Assembly for Wales, 01 Jan 2002). Completed

External Responsibilities

Memberships