Benefits of wellness program for people with MS
People with MS benefit from a comprehensive wellness program; © Fabrice Michaudeau/panthermedia.net
Kessler researchers have published a pilot study showing the benefits of a 10-week psychoeducational wellness program in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Improvements were seen in mood, overall mental health, perceived stress, and pain.
Of the 54 patients enrolled in the study, 43 participated in the program, which consisted of weekly 90-minute sessions for 10 weeks. The program's objective was to increase awareness of intellectual, emotional and spiritual factors that affect well-being. Participants were assessed by self-report for depression, anxiety, overall mental health, perceived stress, cognitive complaints, pain, social support and fatigue. The 11 participants who did not participate served as the control group.
"Our preliminary findings suggest that individuals with MS may benefit from a comprehensive wellness program," said Kimberly Beckwith McGuire, of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. "In light of these positive findings for mood, mental health, and stress, further studies are warranted," she noted. "To confirm these results, larger, randomized controlled trials with longer followup need to be conducted."
The study did not reveal any differences between participants and non-participants for cognitive complaints, social support or fatigue.
REHACARE.de; Source: Kessler Foundation