Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program: the Effect of a Novel Psycho-interventional Method on Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Self-efficacy in Female Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of central nervous system affecting young population. Burden of the disease, lifelong confrontation with a complex disease with no cure and the need for continuous care lead to chronic stress in patients and their caregivers. Mindfulness stress reduction, as a novel psycho intervention method, might be helpful in MS patients to reduce this chronic stress. A group of female patients diagnosed with definite MS (According to MC Donald criteria 2010 by a neurologist) were randomized to either an immediate MBSR program (n=12) or waitlist (n=12). The intervention consisted of a weekly MBSR group lasting 2.5 hours for 8 weeks plus a 6 hours retreat. Patients completed questionnaires preand postintervention or waitlist period. Preliminary analysis revealed that there was no significant improvement in physical symptoms and mental health (p>0.05). However, a significant improvement was observed in patients' quality of life (p>0.05). These results provide preliminary evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of MBSR intervention as a novel psychotherapeutic method for improving quality of life in patients with MS.