Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Dec;4(4):e29655.
doi: 10.17795/nmsjournal29655. Epub 2015 Dec 1.

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Anxiety, Depression and Stress in Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Bentolhoda Kolahkaj  1 , Fatemeh Zargar  2
Affiliations

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Anxiety, Depression and Stress in Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Bentolhoda Kolahkaj et al. Nurs Midwifery Stud. 2015 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Studies suggest that mindfulness-based interventions can improve anxiety, depression and stress in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, no study investigated the effectiveness of this method in patients with a combination of problems such as depression, anxiety and stress simultaneously. However, comorbidities of depression and anxiety in MS are prevalent.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBRS) on anxiety, depression and stress in women with multiple sclerosis.

Patients and methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in 2013 in Ahvaz MS Society. Forty eight patients were selected by convenient sampling and randomly assigned in experimental and control groups. The patients in the two groups filled out depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) at initiation of study, 8 weeks later and 1 month after the end of intervention. The experimental group received 8 sessions of MBRS, while the control group treated as usual. Finally, data of 40 patients analyzed using t-test, chi square and repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results: In the MBSR group, the mean depression, anxiety and stress were reduced significantly (P < 0.001). The mean depression score was 8.35 ± 1.78 before the intervention and reduced to 4.80 ± 0.83 and 4.45 ± 0.60 after the intervention and follow-up (P < 0.001). Also the mean anxiety score was 8.90 ± 1.97 before the intervention, which was significantly reduced to 4.70 ± 1.38 and 4.55 ± 0.99 after the intervention and follow-up (P < 0.001). The mean stress score was also 8.80 ± 2.35 before treatment and 4.80 ± 1.67 and 4.70 ± 1.34 after the intervention and follow-up (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: This study showed that MBSR training can reduce mean depression, anxiety and stress scores in patients with MS. These findings suggest that MBSR is useful for psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and stress in patients with MS.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Mindfulness; Multiple Sclerosis; Stress.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. The Study Flow Diagram
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Changes in Depression, Anxiety and Stress Mean Scores in TAU and MBSR Groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Satoh J. Molecular network of ChIP-Seq-based NF-kappaB p65 target genes involves diverse immune functions relevant to the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2014;3(1):94–106. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2013.04.005. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Salehpoor G, Rezaei S, Hosseininezhad M. Quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS) and role of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress: A bicenter study from north of Iran. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2014;19(6):593–9. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Harizchi ghadim S, Ranjbar kuchsaryi F, Talebi M, Zakaria M. Effects of ''Written Emotional Expression" on Anxiety and Depression in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Iran J Neurol. 2013;8(25):465–75.
    1. Garcia-Burguillo MP, Aguila-Maturana AM. [Energy-saving strategies in the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. A pilot study]. Rev Neurol. 2009;49(4):181–5. - PubMed
    1. Bruce JM, Lynch SG. Multiple sclerosis: MS treatment adherence--how to keep patients on medication? Nat Rev Neurol. 2011;7(8):421–2. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2011.106. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources