Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for severely fatigued multiple sclerosis patients: A waiting list controlled study.
Alexandra E W Hoogerwerf, Yvonne Bol, Jill Lobbestael, Raymond Hupperts, Caroline M Van Heugten
Journal of rehabilitation medicine June 28, 2017 DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2237 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Non-randomized pilot study with waiting-list control period Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 59 |
| Population | Multiple sclerosis patients with severe fatigue |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Duration | Measurements before treatment (double baseline), after treatment, and at 3-month follow-up |
| Measures | Checklist Individual Strength-20 fatigue severity subscale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, Symptom Checklist-90 sleep subscale, Cognitive Failure Questionnaire, Fatigue Catastrophizing Scale, Coping Inventory of Stressful Situations, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was feasible in severely fatigued multiple sclerosis patients, with 71% adherence and significant time effects on 7 of 11 outcome measures (moderate effect sizes) that were maintained at 3 months. Of completers, 46% showed a clinically relevant fatigue change. The authors report positive results for reducing severe fatigue and several psychological factors, while noting the pilot, non-randomized design. |
Abstract
Fatigue is the most common symptom in multiple sclerosis. Evidence-based treatment options are scarce. To study the feasibility and potential effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in severely fatigued multiple sclerosis patients. Non-randomized pilot study with a wai-ting list control period including 59 multiple sclerosis patients with severe fatigue. fatigue severity subscale of the Checklist Individual Strength-20. Secondary measures: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, subscale sleep of the Symptom Checklist-90, Cognitive Failure Questionnaire, Fatigue Catastrophizing Scale, Coping Inventory of Stressful Situations, and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form. Measurements were taken before treatment (double baseline), after treatment, and at follow-up (3 months). Adherence rate was 71%. Eight out of 10 participants who completed the intervention were satisfied with the intervention. Significant time effects were found for 7 out of 11 outcome measures (p = 0.006 to < 0.001). The effect size was moderate for all outcome measures that were significant post-treatment and/or at follow-up (Ƞ² = 0.10-0.17). Improvements were maintained at follow-up. Of the completers, 46% showed a clinically relevant change regarding fatigue. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is feasible in severely fatigued multiple sclerosis patients and has positive results in the reduction of severe fatigue and several psychological factors.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis at 8 weeks and 12 months: A randomized clinical trial Multiple Sclerosis Journal July 9, 2018
- Improved quality of life and psychological symptoms following mindfulness and cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis and their mediating role for cognition: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Neurology July 1, 2024
- Into the Moment: Does Mindfulness Affect Biological Pathways in Multiple Sclerosis? Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience May 22, 2018
- Long-term treatment outcomes of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Research December 1, 2024
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Anxiety Sensitivity in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Jundishapur Journal of Chronic Disease Care March 3, 2023
and 3 more in the library
Cites 5
- Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Anxiety, Depression and Stress in Women With Multiple Sclerosis. Nursing and midwifery studies December 2015
- Mindfulness based interventions in multiple sclerosis--a systematic review. BMC Neurology January 17, 2014
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduces chronic cancer-related fatigue: a treatment study. Psycho-Oncology March 2012
- Psychometric properties of the five facet mindfulness questionnaire in depressed adults and development of a short form. Assessment May 17, 2011
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cancer: a meta-analysis. Psycho-Oncology June 2009