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The Effect of Biofeedback as a Psychological Intervention in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Study
Alison M Mackay1, Robert Buckingham1, Raymond S Schwartz1
1Southern Neurology, Kogarah, NSW, Australia (AMM, RSS, DJC); Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia (AMM, RB); University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (RSS); Department of Neurophysiology, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia (SH, RGB, DJC); South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia (SH, RGB, DJC); Griffith University, South Bank, QLD, Australia (RGB); and Strategic Health Evaluations, Chatswood, NSW, Australia (RGB).
Adding biofeedback to relaxation, mindfulness, social support, and education (RMSSE) significantly reduced anxiety and depression in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The biofeedback group also showed improvements in stress and fatigue.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychology
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Relaxation, mindfulness, social support, and education (RMSSE) are established interventions for managing emotional symptoms, coping, and fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Biofeedback, a technique to enhance self-control by monitoring physiological responses, was investigated as an adjunct psychological intervention for MS patients.
- This study compared the efficacy of RMSSE alone versus RMSSE combined with biofeedback in a cohort of individuals with MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of biofeedback as an add-on therapy to standard psychological interventions for patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
- To determine if biofeedback can further improve emotional well-being, reduce fatigue, and enhance physiological self-regulation in MS patients.
- To assess changes in anxiety, depression, stress, breathing rate, and muscle tension.
Main Methods:
- Forty participants with relapsing-remitting MS were recruited from three sites in Sydney, Australia.
- Participants were randomized into two groups, both receiving 3 weeks of RMSSE. One group additionally received biofeedback training, utilizing equipment to monitor breathing rate and muscle tension.
- The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was 2.41, and the mean age was 45.9 years.
Main Results:
- Across both groups, significant reductions in anxiety (38%) and depression (39%) were observed post-treatment.
- No significant differences in anxiety or depression scores were found between the two groups post-treatment.
- The biofeedback group demonstrated significant improvements in anxiety, fatigue, and stress, with trends toward improvement in breathing rate and muscle tension.
Conclusions:
- Integrating biofeedback with RMSSE offers demonstrable benefits for relapsing-remitting MS patients, leading to reduced anxiety, fatigue, and stress.
- While not reaching statistical significance in all measures, biofeedback showed a positive trend in reducing physiological indicators like breathing rate and muscle tension.
- Biofeedback represents a promising adjunctive therapy for improving psychological and physiological outcomes in individuals with MS.
