The Stress and Mood Management Program for Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis

Author(s):  
David Mohr

Multiple Sclerosis presents not only physical challenges, but emotional challenges as well. Many people with MS suffer from depression, anxiety and stress. Problems with mood and stress can interfere with relationships with others, reduce ability to meet obligations at work and at home, and substantially worsen overall quality of life. The stress and mood management program described in this book is backed by research and has proven effective in clinical trials. Based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most effective therapeutic techniques available for combating depression and anxiety, this program can help manage stress and improve well-being. It provides ways to learn skills for identifying and challenging your unhelpful thoughts, as well as how to motivate to reengage in pleasant activities. It also covers treatment modules that can be modified to specific MS-related problems. Choices include modules on managing symptoms like fatigue, pain, and cognitive problems, and improving communication and assertiveness skills, among others. It also provides a module on self-injection anxiety.

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
C-H Chang ◽  
D Cella ◽  
O Fernández ◽  
G Luque ◽  
P de Castro ◽  
...  

Objective: The cross-sectional study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) Spanish version and its use in measuring quality of life (QOL) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Spain. Methods: The FAMS is a factorially derived self-report scale designed to assess six primary aspects of QOL of patients with MS: Mobility, Symptoms, Emotional Well-Being, General Contentment, Thinking and Fatigue, and Family/Social Well-Being. Its Spanish translated version was used to assess QOL of 625 MS patients recruited in an outpatient clinic setting from 58 hospitals in Spain. Internal consistency of the Spanish FAMS was evaluated. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors from demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics, and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in predicting FAMS scale scores. Results: Most of the patients are females (66%), and 74% were of the relapsing-remitting (RR) clinical subtype. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were high (range=0.78-0.96), indicating subscale homogeneity comparable to that of the original English version. Linear multivariate regression analyses revealed that the EDSS is a dominant variable in predicting all the FAMS subscales, especially mobility (R2=0.51) and the total scores. Conclusions: The Spanish FAMS is a psychometrically valid instrument that allows clinicians and clinical researchers the ability to measure the QOL concerns of MS patients in Spain.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jansirani Natarajan ◽  
Mickael Antoine Joseph ◽  
Abdullah Al Asmi ◽  
Gerald Amandu Matua ◽  
Jaber Al Khabouri ◽  
...  

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis is a disabling neurological disorder with significant negative effects on patients’ quality of life. Despite the increased prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Arabian Gulf countries in recent years, no study has assessed the impact of multiple sclerosis on the healthrelated quality of life of Omani patients. Therefore, the objectives of the current study was to assess the impact of multiple sclerosis on the health-related quality of life of Omani patients using the validated disease-specific self-administered MusiQoL instrument. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between April and December 2019 on 177 Omani patients with multiple sclerosis attending two major hospitals in Oman. Patients’ health-related quality of life was assessed using the validated disease-specific self-administered MusiQoL instrument. Results: Majority (51.4%) of the patients had poor HRQOL and 48.6% had moderate HRQOL. We found that being older than 30 years, a female, married, separated, widowed, or divorced, and having visual and sleep problems had poorer health-related quality of life. Among the different health-related quality of life components, relationship with the healthcare system and relationship with family and friends were the most affected because of the disease process. Our results also showed that psychological well-being and coping domains of MusiQoL questionnaires are significantly reduced in females as compared to males. Conclusion: Understanding the health-related quality of life of Omanis with multiple sclerosis provides valuable knowledge that could help optimize the management of this disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol LIII (2) ◽  
pp. 46-56
Author(s):  
Aleksey I. Melekhin

Aim. To investigate the effectiveness of the short-term protocol of cognitive behavioral therapy RELEGS M. Hornyak et al. in complex treatment to improve the quality of sleep, reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts in patients with primary SBN comorbid with chronic insomnia. Methods. Study participants: 68 patients with primary restless legs syndrome with comorbid chronic insomnia. Women 56 (average age 52.110.3 years), men 12 (average age 50.39.4 years). The severity of restless legs syndrome is moderate to severe. The average age of the onset of the disease is 1848 years, the duration of the course of the disease is on average 1415 years. Taking various medications for the management of SBN for an average of 45 years. Study design: a randomized controlled trial, after screening 26 patients were assigned to the main group, underwent combined treatment, took a prolonged form of Pramipexole (Mirapex-PD, 1.5 mg.) and underwent the RELEGS CBT protocol (Restless Legs Skills program, Hornyak, Grossmann, 2018), which integrates the cognitive behavioral insomnia protocol (Morin, 2007) and Mindfulness-Based Stress therapy (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Bablas, 2016). The control group consisted of 24 people who received only general recommendations on sleep hygiene once. Both groups were treated with dopaminergic agonists under the supervision of a neurologist. Research methods: IRLS, ISI, DBAS-16, sleep diary analysis, actigraphy, BDI, SBQ-R, BAI. Results. The use of the CBT protocol in combination therapy with prolonged-acting dopaminergic agonists in patients with primary restless leg syndrome (mild and moderate severity) with comorbid chronic insomnia, in contrast to simple one-time general recommendations on sleep hygiene, is more effective for reducing dysfunctional behaviors, the spectrum of reinsurance and avoidance behavior both in relation to sleep and symptoms of restless legs. In patients with primary restless legs syndrome who underwent CBT, greater mental well-being was observed, which was expressed in a decrease in the severity of symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and suicidal behavior after completion and persisted after 3 months of follow-up. Conclusion. As part of a personalized comprehensive approach, along with a drug-based approach and general recommendations for sleep hygiene, the use of short-term CBT (4 sessions, 60 minutes each) can significantly improve mental well-being, improve the quality of sleep of patients with restless legs syndrome with comorbid chronic insomnia.


2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852094308
Author(s):  
Seng Kwee Wee ◽  
Chiu Yi Ho ◽  
Si Lei Tan ◽  
Cheng Hong Ong

Wearable powered robotic exoskeleton can provide high repetitions and high-intensity gait training. It can promote a sense of well-being when the user is in upright posture to walk around different environment. We present a case of a lady with progressive multiple sclerosis who received 15 sessions of robotic exoskeleton training. Post training, she demonstrated improvement in lower limb strength, sense of well-being and self-esteem that led to improved transfer ability, increased social outings and better quality of life (QOL). Previously, she was depressed and reluctant to go out for social activities. This case suggests the potential of robotic exoskeleton to enhance QOL in people with mobility challenges.


2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Sutherland ◽  
Mark B. Andersen ◽  
Mark A. Stoové

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) are often advised not to participate in vigorous exercise. Leading a relatively sedentary life, however, may exacerbate the debilitating effects of MS. In this study, 22 people participated in either a no-special-activity group (n = 11) or an experimental group (n = 11) that involved water aerobics three times a week for 10 weeks. Measures taken included scales for health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological well-being. ANCOVAs using social support and the appropriate pretest scores as covariates revealed that after the intervention, the exercise group had more energy and vigor (extremely large effect sizes). Other very large effects were found in the exercise group, which had better social and sexual functioning and less bodily pain and fatigue than the control group. Future research should involve long-term studies to determine whether exercise not only improves quality of life but also helps slow the progression of disease.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 964-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naser Sharafaddinzadeh ◽  
Ali Moghtaderi ◽  
Davood Kashipazha ◽  
Nastaran Majdinasab ◽  
Bita Shalbafan

Background: Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) may promote psychological well-being as well as generalized health especially in autoimmune disorders. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of LDN on the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients with relapsing—remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) using the scales and composite scores of the MSQoL-54 questionnaire. Methods: A 17-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, crossover-design clinical trial was conducted in two universities. A total of 96 adult patients aged between 15 and 65 years with relapsing—remitting (RR) or secondary progressive (SP) clinically definite MS with disease duration longer than 6 months enrolled into the study. The primary outcome of the study was comparison of the scores of physical and mental health by conducting independent t-test of the results obtained in the middle and at the end of study between the two groups. Results: Variables including presence of pain, energy, emotional well-being, social, cognitive, and sexual functions, role limitation due to physical and emotional problems, health distress, and overall QoL did not show any meaningful statistically difference between the two groups. Factor analysis revealed that health perception scores were statistically different between the groups before starting, in the middle, and at the end of the study. Conclusion: The study clearly illustrates that LDN is a relatively safe therapeutic option in RRMS and SPMS but its efficacy is under question and probably a long duration trial is needed in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-192
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Gasper ◽  
Megan Lewis ◽  
Anne Kroeger ◽  
Ben Muz ◽  
Nicholas LaRocca ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis adult day programs (MSADPs) offer life-enhancing services for individuals and informal caregivers affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), including medical care, rehabilitation therapies, nutrition therapy, cognitive training, tailored education, exercise programs, and social interaction. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of MSADPs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and health care utilization of persons with MS and HRQOL and well-being of informal caregivers. Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design, outcomes between baseline and 1-year follow-up in persons with MS and informal caregivers who used MSADP services and a comparison group of similar persons with MS and caregivers who did not use MSADP services were compared. For persons with MS, outcomes included standardized measures of physical and mental HRQOL and health care utilization. For caregivers, outcomes included physical and mental HRQOL and well-being. Changes in outcomes between baseline and follow-up were examined using propensity score–weighted difference-in-differences regression analysis. Results: For persons with MS, MSADP use had a significant positive effect on 12-Item Short Form Health Survey physical component scores, although the difference was not clinically meaningful. Use of MSADPs did not have effects on any other outcomes for persons with MS or caregivers. Conclusions: Use of MSADPs did not show a clinically meaningful effect on HRQOL for persons with MS or informal caregivers. The MSADPs do not seem to offer sustained benefits to persons with MS or caregivers, but the possibility of initial short-term benefits cannot be ruled out.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
MajidMalekzadeh Shafaroudi ◽  
DavoodNasiry Zarrin Ghabaee ◽  
Masoumeh Bagheri-Nesami

10.2196/21466 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. e21466
Author(s):  
Ieva Biliunaite ◽  
Evaldas Kazlauskas ◽  
Robbert Sanderman ◽  
Inga Truskauskaite-Kuneviciene ◽  
Austeja Dumarkaite ◽  
...  

Background Caregiving for a family member can result in reduced well-being for the caregiver. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) may be one way to support this population. This is especially the case for caregivers in countries with limited resources, but high demand for psychological services. Objective In this study we evaluated the effects of a therapist-guided 8-week-long ICBT intervention for informal caregivers. Methods In total, 63 participants were recruited online and randomized either to the intervention or to the wait-list control group. The main study outcome was the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). Secondary outcomes included measures of caregiver depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life. Results Moderate between-group effect sizes were observed for the CBI measure, in favor of the intervention group, with a Cohen d=–0.70 for the intention-to-treat analysis. Analyses of the subscales of the CBI showed significant reductions on the subscales of Development and Physical Health. Moderate reductions were found for depression and anxiety scores as indicated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores. Large between-group effects were observed for reduction in stress and increase in quality of life as indicated by the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14), The Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ), and The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). In addition, participants experienced little to no difficulty in using the program and were mostly satisfied with the intervention’s platform and the choice of content. Conclusions This is the first internet intervention study for informal caregivers in Lithuania. The results suggest that therapist-guided ICBT can be effective in reducing caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, stress, and improving quality of life. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04052724; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04052724


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document