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. 2018 Nov 26;4(4):2055217318813179.
doi: 10.1177/2055217318813179. eCollection 2018 Oct-Dec.

Can a stress management programme reduce stress and improve quality of life in people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis?

Susan Agland  1 , Amanda Lydon  1 , Sally Shaw  2 , Rodney Lea  1 , Sheila Mortimer-Jones  3 , Jeannette Lechner-Scott  1
Affiliations

Can a stress management programme reduce stress and improve quality of life in people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis?

Susan Agland et al. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. .

Abstract

Background: Despite evidence of perceived stress as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis activity, the evidence for managing stress is limited.Objective To evaluate a stress management programme on perceived stress and quality of life, over 6 months.

Methods: One hundred people with multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned to either a stress management programme of mindfulness, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, or wait list. Perceived stress and quality of life were assessed at three intervals across 6 months. Salivary cortisol levels were assessed at two intervals: baseline and first follow-up.

Results: The stress management programme did not significantly reduce perceived stress, when comparing mean scores. Secondary analysis using median scores found a significant improvement for quality of life, favouring the intervention group.

Conclusion: Stress management had no significant effect on the primary outcome of perceived stress but did improve quality of life in a secondary analysis of median scores.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; meditation; mindfulness; perceived stress; progressive muscle relaxation; stress management.

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