Mindfulness training for emotion dysregulation in multiple sclerosis: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Emotion dysregulation is prevalent in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), correlating with depression, anxiety, and diminished quality of life.
• Emotion dysregulation is a transdiagnostic factor impacting mental health across various conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of mindfulness-based training (MBT) in mitigating emotion dysregulation among PwMS.
• To explore MBT's impact on emotion regulation strategies, affect, and quality of life in PwMS.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 61 PwMS assigned to 4-week MBT, adaptive cognitive training (aCT), or a waitlist control.
• Outcomes measured using self-report and behavioral assessments of emotion dysregulation, emotion regulation strategies, affect, and quality of life.

Main Results:

• Mindfulness-based training significantly reduced emotion dysregulation compared to aCT and waitlist controls (ηp² = .20).
• MBT also led to reductions in preservative cognition, including rumination and worry, relative to the waitlist group (ηp² = .15).
• No significant differences were found in emotion regulation strategy use or overall quality of life between groups.

Conclusions:

• This pilot study offers preliminary evidence supporting MBT's efficacy in reducing self-reported emotion dysregulation for PwMS.
• Given the high incidence of mental health issues in PwMS, MBT presents a potential rehabilitation strategy.