Hypnosis and mindfulness audio recordings for reducing fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A randomized...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom for individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Current management strategies for MS-related fatigue often have limited efficacy.
• Exploring accessible and non-invasive interventions is crucial for improving quality of life in MS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of readily accessible audio recordings of therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) and mindfulness meditation (MM) on fatigue experienced by individuals with MS.
• To assess the duration of these effects over a 28-week period.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 333 participants with MS and fatigue.
• Participants were assigned to receive either HYP audio recordings, MM audio recordings, or treatment as usual (TAU) for 28 weeks.
• Primary outcome (fatigue impact) and secondary outcomes were measured at 4, 16, and 28 weeks.

Main Results:

• Both HYP and MM groups showed significantly greater reductions in fatigue impact compared to the TAU group after 4 weeks.
• Improvements in sleep disturbance and depressive symptom severity were also observed in the HYP and MM groups.
• These positive effects on fatigue and associated symptoms were sustained at 16 and 28 weeks, with no serious adverse events reported.

Conclusions:

• Audio recordings of therapeutic hypnosis and mindfulness meditation offer a feasible and effective approach to managing fatigue in individuals with MS.
• This intervention demonstrates a significant beneficial impact on MS-related fatigue, sleep, and mood.
• The accessibility and sustained efficacy suggest a valuable addition to non-pharmacological management strategies for multiple sclerosis.