Mindfulness Intervention for People With Multiple SCLEROSIS: Mims Trial

Abstract

Background: Mindfulness based interventions have been shown to effectively reduce anxiety, depression and pain in patients with chronic physical illnesses. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an easy to access mindfulness based intervention, which aims to reduce distress for people affected by primary and secondary progressive MS. Methods: Forty participants were randomly assigned to the 8week intervention (n=19) or a waitlist control group (n=21). One-hour sessions were delivered to groups of 3-5 people using SKYPE videoconferencing. Participants completed standardized questionnaires to measure mood, impact of MS and symptom severity at baseline, post-therapy and 3 months follow-up. Findings: Health related distress scores were lower in the intervention group compared to control group at post-therapy and follow-up (p<0.05), effect size -.64 post-therapy and -.94 at follow-up. Mean scores for pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, impact of MS were reduced for the mindfulness group compared to control group at post-therapy and follow-up; effect sizes, -.27- -.99 post-therapy and -.29 - -1.12 at follow-up. Discussion: Accessibility and feasibility of distance-delivered mindfulness interventions and the challenges of adapting a mindfulness course for people with progressive MS will be discuss.