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Undertaking specific stress-reducing activities are associated with reduced fatigue and depression, and increased
Nupur Nag1, Xirun Yang1, George Jelinek1
1Neuroepidemiology Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating autoimmune disease, presenting with heterogenous symptoms that impact daily living. Undertaking stress-reducing activities may reduce symptoms including depression and fatigue, and enhance mastery, the sense of control of one's life. We assessed cross-sectional associations of undertaking stress-reducing activities or meditation on depression, fatigue, and mastery, and 5-year prospective relationships between meditation and these outcomes.
Methods:
Data were extracted from the longitudinal Health Outcomes and Lifestyle In a Sample of people with Multiple sclerosis (HOLISM) study. Stress-reducing activities were categorised to relaxation, physical, mind-body, and spiritual. Meditation was analysed as a dichotomous term, and for duration and frequency of practice. Depression, fatigue, and mastery were assessed by Patient's Health Questionnaire-9, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Pearlin Mastery Scale, respectively. Associations with depression, fatigue and mastery were assessed by log-binomial regression. Models were adjusted for age, sex, symptoms due to relapse, socioeconomic status, employment status, and antidepressant and anti-fatigue medication use, as appropriate.
Results:
Cross-sectionally, physical and relaxation activities were associated with 40% and 33% lower frequencies of depression, respectively. Physical activities were additionally associated with 19% lower frequency of fatigue. Meditation was associated with 30% lower frequency of depression and 17% higher mastery. Prospectively, meditation was associated with 28% decreased depression, and 48% reduction of developing depression at 5-year follow-up.
Conclusion:
Potential benefits of undertaking stress-reducing activities, or meditation, on depression, fatigue, and mastery are promising and should be further assessed prospectively. Meditation practice should be encouraged as a safe and inexpensive intervention for prevention of depression.
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