Cesare Cavalera1, Marco Rovaris2, Laura Mendozzi2, Luigi Pugnetti3, Massimo Garegnani3, Gianluca Castelnuovo4, Enrico Molinari4, Francesco Pagnini5. 1. Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy. 2. Multiple Sclerosis Center and Rehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute (IRCCS), don C. Gnocchi Foundation, Milan, Italy. 3. Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Scientific Institute (IRCCS) S. Maria Nascente, don C. Gnocchi Foundation, Milan, Italy. 4. Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy; Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano (IRCCS), Piancavallo, Italy. 5. Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a relevant impact on quality of life (QOL) and is associated with increased risks of psychological morbidity. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are among the most studied interventions, although few well-conducted studies have tested them in this field. Furthermore, the participation in typical MBIs may be impaired by time and logistics. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to test the efficacy of an online MBI to improve QOL, psychological well-being, sleep, and fatigue. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial, in which 139 participants were randomly assigned to an MS-specific online mindfulness meditation intervention or to a psychoeducational (active control) group. Participants were assessed for QOL, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and fatigue, at three different times: at recruitment, after 2 months, and after 6 months. RESULTS: In comparison to the control group, the experimental subjects reported higher QOL and lower depression, anxiety, and sleep problems at the end of intervention. However, after 6 months these group differences were no longer significant. CONCLUSION: An online MBI could be an effective psychological treatment for the promotion of well-being in MS in short-term. However, the lack of lasting effects requires the development of new strategies to support long-term changes.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a relevant impact on quality of life (QOL) and is associated with increased risks of psychological morbidity. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are among the most studied interventions, although few well-conducted studies have tested them in this field. Furthermore, the participation in typical MBIs may be impaired by time and logistics. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to test the efficacy of an online MBI to improve QOL, psychological well-being, sleep, and fatigue. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial, in which 139 participants were randomly assigned to an MS-specific online mindfulness meditation intervention or to a psychoeducational (active control) group. Participants were assessed for QOL, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and fatigue, at three different times: at recruitment, after 2 months, and after 6 months. RESULTS: In comparison to the control group, the experimental subjects reported higher QOL and lower depression, anxiety, and sleep problems at the end of intervention. However, after 6 months these group differences were no longer significant. CONCLUSION: An online MBI could be an effective psychological treatment for the promotion of well-being in MS in short-term. However, the lack of lasting effects requires the development of new strategies to support long-term changes.
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