Distress improves after mindfulness training for progressive MS: A pilot randomised trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a Skype-delivered mindfulness intervention for reducing distress in people with primary and secondary progressive MS.
Results Summary
The mindfulness intervention significantly reduced distress, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and impact of MS compared to the control group, with moderate to large effect sizes. There was also an 87.4% probability that the intervention saved on service costs while improving outcomes, though no differences in quality-adjusted life years were observed.
Population
People with primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).
Effective Dosage
Eight-week intervention (specific frequency not detailed).
Duration
Eight weeks, with follow-up at three months post-intervention.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | anxiety, depression and pain | patients with chronic physical illnesses | - | effectively reduce | #1 |
Skype distant-delivered mindfulness intervention | decrease | Distress scores | people affected by primary and secondary progressive MS | effect size -0.67 post-intervention and -0.97 at follow-up | lower | #2 |
mindfulness intervention | decrease | pain | people with progressive MS | effect sizes ranged from -0.27 to -0.99 post-intervention and -0.29 to -1.12 at follow-up | reduced | #3 |
mindfulness intervention | decrease | fatigue | people with progressive MS | effect sizes ranged from -0.27 to -0.99 post-intervention and -0.29 to -1.12 at follow-up | reduced | #4 |
mindfulness intervention | decrease | anxiety | people with progressive MS | effect sizes ranged from -0.27 to -0.99 post-intervention and -0.29 to -1.12 at follow-up | reduced | #5 |
mindfulness intervention | decrease | depression | people with progressive MS | effect sizes ranged from -0.27 to -0.99 post-intervention and -0.29 to -1.12 at follow-up | reduced | #6 |
mindfulness intervention | decrease | impact of MS | people with progressive MS | effect sizes ranged from -0.27 to -0.99 post-intervention and -0.29 to -1.12 at follow-up | reduced | #7 |
mindfulness intervention | no change | quality-adjusted life years | people with progressive MS | - | no differences | #8 |
mindfulness intervention | decrease | service costs and outcome | people with progressive MS | 87.4% probability | saves on service costs and improves outcome | #9 |
BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to effectively reduce anxiety, depression and pain in patients with chronic physical illnesses. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a specially adapted Skype distant-delivered mindfulness intervention, designed to reduce distress for people affected by primary and secondary progressive MS. METHODS: Forty participants were randomly assigned to the eight-week intervention (n = 19) or a waiting-list control group (n = 21). Participants completed standardised questionnaires to measure mood, impact of MS and symptom severity, quality of life and service costs at baseline, post-intervention and three-month follow-up. RESULTS: Distress scores were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group at post-intervention and follow-up (p < 0.05), effect size -0.67 post-intervention and -0.97 at follow-up. Mean scores for pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression and impact of MS were reduced for the mindfulness group compared with control group at post-therapy and follow-up; effect sizes ranged from -0.27 to -0.99 post-intervention and -0.29 to -1.12 at follow-up. There were no differences in quality-adjusted life years, but an 87.4% probability that the intervention saves on service costs and improves outcome. CONCLUSIONS: A mindfulness intervention delivered through Skype video conferences appears accessible, feasible and potentially effective and cost-effective for people with progressive MS.