scholarly journals Development and Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Wellness Program for People with Multiple Sclerosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Beckwith McGuire ◽  
Jelena Stojanovic-Radic ◽  
Lauren Strober ◽  
Nancy D. Chiaravalloti ◽  
John DeLuca
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Biopsychosocial Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wellness Program ◽  
Cognitive Complaints

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) mostly affects young and middle-aged adults and is known to be associated with a host of factors involved in overall quality of life and well-being. The biopsychosocial model of disease takes into account the multifaceted nature of chronic illness and is commonly applied to MS. The present investigation examined the effectiveness of a 10-week psychoeducational MS wellness program that was developed on the basis of the biopsychosocial model and a wellness approach to treatment. Methods: The program consisted of 90-minute, weekly psychoeducational wellness group sessions aimed at improving quality of life by increasing awareness of the various social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual factors that can affect the overall well-being of people living with MS. Fifty-four individuals with MS participated in the study (43 individuals who completed the wellness intervention and 11 individuals with MS who did not participate; “controls”). All participants completed a series of self-report questionnaires at baseline and at the 10-week follow-up, assessing depression, anxiety, perceived stress, cognitive complaints, pain, social support, and fatigue. Results: Repeated-measures analysis revealed improvements in depression, anxiety, overall mental health, perceived stress, and pain in the treatment group compared with the control group. No significant differences were observed between the groups on measures assessing social support, cognitive complaints, and fatigue. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a psychoeducational wellness program is effective in improving the overall quality of life and well-being of individuals with MS.

Can Aerobic Exercise Training Affect Health-Related Quality of Life for People with Multiple Sclerosis?

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Sutherland ◽  
Mark B. Andersen ◽  
Mark A. Stoové
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

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.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Cognitive Function and Well-being in Caregivers of Persons with Dementia and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Mallya
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Approximately 14.9% of Canadians aged 65 and older are living with cognitive impairment, including dementia, which means that there is likely an equal or even greater number of Canadians involved in their care. Relative to non-caregivers, caregivers of persons with dementia typically show more cognitive difficulties (e.g., executive function, memory), and report increased perceived stress, depression, and poor quality of life. The first aim of this dissertation was to compare caregivers’ cognitive and psychological function with that of non-caregiving older adults. The second aim was to assess whether a standardized mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention could improve cognitive function and well-being in caregivers, compared to a psychoeducational control group. In Study 1, 57 older adult caregivers completed an assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Their performance was compared with that of 97 healthy, non-caregiving older adults who completed a similar battery of measures. It was hypothesized that caregivers would show decreased performance on measures of cognitive function, as well as significantly poorer psychosocial outcomes relative to the non-caregiver group. In Study 2, caregivers were randomized into an eight week MBSR program (n = 33) or a psychoeducation control group (n = 24). At post-program, all participants completed a re-assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Results of Study 1 showed that relative to non-caregivers, caregivers made significantly more errors on a measure of cognitive flexibility, generated fewer words on measures of phonemic fluency and semantic fluency, and learned significantly fewer words on a list learning task. Caregivers also reported significantly more stress and depressive symptoms, and reported lower quality of life. Results of Study 2 showed that post-intervention cognitive performance did not significantly differ as a function of group assignment. However, participants in the MBSR group showed a significantly larger reduction in depression and perceived stress relative to controls. Results of this RCT provide preliminary evidence for the selective benefits of MBSR relative to psychoeducation in a group of older caregivers of individuals with dementia.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Cognitive Function and Well-being in Caregivers of Persons with Dementia and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Mallya
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Approximately 14.9% of Canadians aged 65 and older are living with cognitive impairment, including dementia, which means that there is likely an equal or even greater number of Canadians involved in their care. Relative to non-caregivers, caregivers of persons with dementia typically show more cognitive difficulties (e.g., executive function, memory), and report increased perceived stress, depression, and poor quality of life. The first aim of this dissertation was to compare caregivers’ cognitive and psychological function with that of non-caregiving older adults. The second aim was to assess whether a standardized mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention could improve cognitive function and well-being in caregivers, compared to a psychoeducational control group. In Study 1, 57 older adult caregivers completed an assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Their performance was compared with that of 97 healthy, non-caregiving older adults who completed a similar battery of measures. It was hypothesized that caregivers would show decreased performance on measures of cognitive function, as well as significantly poorer psychosocial outcomes relative to the non-caregiver group. In Study 2, caregivers were randomized into an eight week MBSR program (n = 33) or a psychoeducation control group (n = 24). At post-program, all participants completed a re-assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Results of Study 1 showed that relative to non-caregivers, caregivers made significantly more errors on a measure of cognitive flexibility, generated fewer words on measures of phonemic fluency and semantic fluency, and learned significantly fewer words on a list learning task. Caregivers also reported significantly more stress and depressive symptoms, and reported lower quality of life. Results of Study 2 showed that post-intervention cognitive performance did not significantly differ as a function of group assignment. However, participants in the MBSR group showed a significantly larger reduction in depression and perceived stress relative to controls. Results of this RCT provide preliminary evidence for the selective benefits of MBSR relative to psychoeducation in a group of older caregivers of individuals with dementia.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on cognitive function and well-being in caregivers of persons with dementia and related neurodegenerative diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Mallya
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Approximately 14.9% of Canadians aged 65 and older are living with cognitive impairment, including dementia, which means that there is likely an equal or even greater number of Canadians involved in their care. Relative to non-caregivers, caregivers of persons with dementia typically show more cognitive difficulties (e.g., executive function, memory), and report increased perceived stress, depression, and poor quality of life. The first aim of this dissertation was to compare caregivers’ cognitive and psychological function with that of non-caregiving older adults. The second aim was to assess whether a standardized mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention could improve cognitive function and well-being in caregivers, compared to a psychoeducational control group. In Study 1, 57 older adult caregivers completed an assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Their performance was compared with that of 97 healthy, non-caregiving older adults who completed a similar battery of measures. It was hypothesized that caregivers would show decreased performance on measures of cognitive function, as well as significantly poorer psychosocial outcomes relative to the non-caregiver group. In Study 2, caregivers were randomized into an eight week MBSR program (n = 33) or a psychoeducation control group (n = 24). At post-program, all participants completed a re-assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Results of Study 1 showed that relative to non-caregivers, caregivers made significantly more errors on a measure of cognitive flexibility, generated fewer words on measures of phonemic fluency and semantic fluency, and learned significantly fewer words on a list learning task. Caregivers also reported significantly more stress and depressive symptoms, and reported lower quality of life. Results of Study 2 showed that post-intervention cognitive performance did not significantly differ as a function of group assignment. However, participants in the MBSR group showed a significantly larger reduction in depression and perceived stress relative to controls. Results of this RCT provide preliminary evidence for the selective benefits of MBSR relative to psychoeducation in a group of older caregivers of individuals with dementia.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Changes in Quality of Life and Related Psychosocial Variables in Australians with Multiple Sclerosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Ann Wollin ◽  
Nancy Spencer ◽  
Elizabeth McDonald ◽  
Gary Fulcher ◽  
Maureen Bourne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Psychosocial Variables ◽  
The Impact

This study explored changes in quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial variables in a large cohort of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 1287 Australians with MS were administered self-report questionnaires at baseline and 24 months later to examine the impact of disease severity and duration, perceived stress, self-efficacy, depression, and social support on QOL and self-care. Over the 2-year survey period, MS remained stable for 70% of respondents. Disease severity correlated with social support at baseline but not at 24 months, when the only significant correlation with disease severity was that of the World Health Organization Quality of Life–100 instrument (WHOQOL-100) domain of Level of Independence. Although QOL improved across the WHOQOL-100 domains Physical, Psychological, Level of Independence, Social Relationships, and Environment, decreases were found in the WHOQOL-100 facet overall QOL and well-being as well as self-efficacy over the same time period. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to assess the utility of four control measures. MS disease severity and MS disease duration were entered at Step 1, explaining 16.1% of the variance in QOL. After entry of perceived stress, self-efficacy, social support, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale–21 (DASS-21) at Step 2, the total variance explained by the model as a whole was 55.8% (F6,1028 = 216.495, P < .001). Thus, even in the presence of stable disease and improvement in some WHOQOL-100 domains, overall QOL and self-efficacy had decreased at 2 years after the collection of baseline data. Loss of self-efficacy, increased stress, and depression are key factors in reduced QOL in people with MS.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Factors That Influence Quality of Life and Potential for Self-Management in Multiple Sclerosis

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Ann Wollin ◽  
Gary Fulcher ◽  
Elizabeth McDonald ◽  
Nancy Spencer ◽  
Miranda Y. Mortlock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Mediating Variables

Optimizing quality of life (QOL) and self-management in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasingly seen as a worthwhile goal. This study aimed to investigate factors that affect QOL in MS. A large national sample of Australians with MS (n = 1848) generated from the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study completed a survey addressing disease duration and severity, self-efficacy, depression, perceived stress, social support, QOL, and self-management. We tested a model of self-help in which antecedent variables are influenced by mediating variables, which in turn affects outcome variables. In the current study, the antecedent variables were disease duration and disease severity; the mediating variables were self-efficacy, depression, perceived stress, and social support; and the outcome variables were QOL and self-management. We also tested the hypothesis that disease severity, depression, and perceived stress would correlate inversely with QOL and potential for self-management, whereas self-efficacy and perceived level of social support would correlate positively with QOL and potential for self-management. The results indicated that the antecedent variables did not correlate with the mediating variables, with one exception: a negative correlation was found between disease severity and social support. No correlations were found between social support and QOL or self-management. However, significant correlations were found between depression, self-efficacy, stress, and social support and QOL. No correlations were found between either the antecedent or the mediating variables and self-management. The results confirm previous findings of statistically significant correlations between psychosocial factors and QOL.

scholarly journals Perceived Stress in Multiple Sclerosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Senders ◽  
Dennis Bourdette ◽  
Douglas Hanes ◽  
Vijayshree Yadav ◽  
Lynne Shinto
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Trait Mindfulness ◽  
The Impact

Stressful life events are associated with worsening neurological symptoms and decreased quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS). Mindful consciousness can alter the impact of stressful events and has potential to improve health outcomes in MS. This study evaluated the relationship between trait mindfulness and perceived stress, coping, and resilience in people with MS. Quality of life was assessed as a secondary outcome. One hundred nineteen people with confirmed MS completed the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Brief Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Medical Outcome Study Short Form–36. Greater trait mindfulness was significantly associated with decreased psychological stress, better coping skills, increased resilience, and higher quality of life. After investigators controlled for confounders, mindfulness accounted for 25% of the variation in perceived stress scores and 44% of the variation in resilience scores. Results support further investigation of mindfulness training to enhance psychological resilience and improve well-being for those living with MS.

Cognitive Outcomes During COVID-19 Confinement Among Older People and Their Caregivers Using Technologies for Dementia: a retrospective cohort study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Dura-Perez ◽  
Jessica Marian Goodman-Casanova ◽  
Amanda Vega-Nuñez ◽  
Gloria Guerrero-Pertiñez ◽  
Esperanza Varela-Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Restrictive Measures

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 has forced the implementation of restrictive measures to control its viral spread and avoid the serious collapse of health systems worldwide. The Spanish government enforced lockdown, home confinement, social distancing and isolation. Limited access to basic services, and decreased family and social support have deleterious effects on physical and mental health, quality of life and cognition. Technology home-based interventions reduce the risk of viral exposure and prevent the health-related negative outcomes of social isolation through: healthcare delivery, cognitive stimulation, social connection, information sharing, and leisure entertainment. OBJECTIVE The aims of this cohort study were: 1) to explore the impact of social isolation resulting from restrictive measures on cognition, quality of life, mood and perceived stress on community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia; 2) to analyze how living alone and attitude towards technologies affect mental health; 3) to determine healthcare and social support services access and utilization; and finally; 3) to explore the informative, cognitive, entertainment, and social related uses of ICTs during the COVID-19 outbreak . METHODS This cohort study was conducted in the Spanish region of Andalucía (Málaga). In total 151 participants with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia (PMCI/MD), from the SMART 4 MD (n=75) and TV-AssistDem (n=76) randomized clinical trial, were interviewed by telephone between May 11 and June 26 2020. The R version 4.0.4 program was used for all statistical analysis. RESULTS Of the respondents, 97/151 (64.2%) were women. The mean age was 74.31 years (SD 6.48), and 36/151 (23.8%) lived alone. Our findings show that the first months of the outbreak did not significantly impact the cognition, quality of life and mood of our study population when making comparisons with baseline assessments prior to the outbreak, and perceived stress was reported as moderate during the outbreak. Living alone was found a risk factor for fear, and higher technophilia was associated with less negative mental health outcomes. Overall, healthcare and social support services access and utilization was high. The most used ICTs during the COVID-19 outbreak were the Television for informative, cognitive, and entertainment related uses; and the SmartPhone for socialization. CONCLUSIONS While COVID-19 restrictions have demonstrated being effective in viral spread prevention, they have had negative effects in health and well-being and have changed lifestyles worldwide. Our study shows how a presumably vulnerable population of elderly with cognitive impairment has shown more resilience to restrictive measures than expected, experiencing no decline in cognition, quality of life or mood during the period of the COVID-19 outbreak. They reported overall well-being, maintained sleep quality, moderate perceived stress and low depression. Furthermore, findings show how a positive attitude towards technology is associated with less perceived stress, depression and boredom. CLINICALTRIAL NCT 04385797 May 13, 2020 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/26431

scholarly journals Evaluating the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on cognitive function and well-being in caregivers of persons with dementia and related neurodegenerative diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Mallya
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Approximately 14.9% of Canadians aged 65 and older are living with cognitive impairment, including dementia, which means that there is likely an equal or even greater number of Canadians involved in their care. Relative to non-caregivers, caregivers of persons with dementia typically show more cognitive difficulties (e.g., executive function, memory), and report increased perceived stress, depression, and poor quality of life. The first aim of this dissertation was to compare caregivers’ cognitive and psychological function with that of non-caregiving older adults. The second aim was to assess whether a standardized mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention could improve cognitive function and well-being in caregivers, compared to a psychoeducational control group. In Study 1, 57 older adult caregivers completed an assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Their performance was compared with that of 97 healthy, non-caregiving older adults who completed a similar battery of measures. It was hypothesized that caregivers would show decreased performance on measures of cognitive function, as well as significantly poorer psychosocial outcomes relative to the non-caregiver group. In Study 2, caregivers were randomized into an eight week MBSR program (n = 33) or a psychoeducation control group (n = 24). At post-program, all participants completed a re-assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Results of Study 1 showed that relative to non-caregivers, caregivers made significantly more errors on a measure of cognitive flexibility, generated fewer words on measures of phonemic fluency and semantic fluency, and learned significantly fewer words on a list learning task. Caregivers also reported significantly more stress and depressive symptoms, and reported lower quality of life. Results of Study 2 showed that post-intervention cognitive performance did not significantly differ as a function of group assignment. However, participants in the MBSR group showed a significantly larger reduction in depression and perceived stress relative to controls. Results of this RCT provide preliminary evidence for the selective benefits of MBSR relative to psychoeducation in a group of older caregivers of individuals with dementia.

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