A supplementary training program integrating cold exposure, breathing exercises and mindfulness as a complementary treatment for neuropsychological aspects of multiple sclerosis - a pilot interventional study.
Darina Slezáková, Louise Mária Adamová, Peter Marček, Pavol Kadlic, Michaela Konečná, Peter Valkovič, Michal Minár
Multiple sclerosis and related disorders July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2025.106450 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized interventional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | Patients with multiple sclerosis |
| Intervention | controlled breathing |
| Duration | 12-week training program |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Breathing exercises Cold exposure Complementary treatment Holistic approach Multiple sclerosis Neuropsychiatric symptoms |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | The Wim Hof Method led to significantly greater improvements in cognition, fatigue, anxiety, and depression compared to no intervention. |
Abstract
Most of the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from cognitive impairment, fatigue and/or mood disturbances. These symptoms are usually resistant to both disease-modifying and symptomatic treatment. Since there is a trend to a holistic approach to MS patients, we aimed to confirm the effect of combined cold exposure, controlled breathing and mindfulness - Wim Hof Method (WHM) - on neuropsychiatric symptoms of MS. In this randomized interventional study we examined the change in the score of specific neuropsychiatric scales/questionnaires before and after the 12-week WHM-based training program. We compared the change with a control group with no intervention. We obtained complete data from 12 patients in the WHM group and 13 patients in the control group. After 12 weeks, the WHM group had significantly higher improvement in cognition - SDMT (p = 0.045), TMT-A (p = 0.041), TMT-B (p < 0.001); fatigue - FSMCC (p = 0.039); anxiety - GAD (p = 0.015), and depression - PHQ-9 (p = 0.033). Our results indicate that the Wim Hof method appears to be a suitable complementary non-pharmacological treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms of MS.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Implicit Age and Race Bias Social Psychological and Personality Science November 24, 2014
- The positive effects of combined breathing techniques and cold exposure on perceived stress: a randomised trial Current Psychology October 7, 2022
- Into the Moment: Does Mindfulness Affect Biological Pathways in Multiple Sclerosis? Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience May 22, 2018
- The Effects of Cold Exposure Training and a Breathing Exercise on the Inflammatory Response in Humans: A Pilot Study Psychosomatic Medicine February 23, 2022
and 3 more in the library