Depression, fatigue and other psychosocial impacts of MS affect what’s known as health-related quality of life (HRQOL). A study published in the respected journal Neurology (2010; 75:1141-1149) found ‘ that a type of meditation called “mindfulness-based intervention” (MBI) significantly improved HRQOL for people with MS.
The study, the largest of its kind in MS, enrolled 150 people with relapsing-remitting or secondary-progressive MS. Seventy-six were randomly assigned to receive weekly group training sessions in MBI. This meditation technique seeks to create awareness and acceptance of moment-to-moment experiences, with the goal of reducing reactions that may worsen any pain or emotional distress occurring from health-related changes.
After eight weeks, participants in the MBI group improved significantly more across all outcome measures (except perceived limb mobility) than controls who received only regular medical care. An MBI subgroup that had initially scored worse on scales for depression, fatigue and anxiety before the study showed even greater improvement. Researchers noted one study limitation: the control group received no intervention. It’s possible if they had received a “sham” intervention, the controls might have improved more due to an increased sense of coping. Still, the results highlight the importance of treatments for quality-of-life issues in people with MS.
See more from the National MS Society’s Momentum Magazine News Feed section, by clicking here
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