USE OF NEUROFEEDBACK AND MINDFULNESS TO ENHANCE RESPONSE TO HYPNOSIS TREATMENT IN INDIVIDUALS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Results From a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether mindfulness meditation could enhance the efficacy of hypnosis treatment by increasing slower brain oscillations in individuals with chronic pain or fatigue.
Results Summary
The study found that mindfulness meditation, along with neurofeedback, showed potential to enhance response to hypnosis treatment for chronic pain and fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Larger studies are needed to confirm generalizability.
Population
Individuals with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain, fatigue, or both (n=32).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
5 sessions of self-hypnosis training (duration per session not specified).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness meditation | increase | response to hypnosis treatment | individuals with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain, fatigue, or both | - | supported the potential to enhance response | #1 |
neurofeedback training | increase | response to hypnosis treatment | individuals with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain, fatigue, or both | - | supported the potential to enhance response | #2 |
This pilot study evaluated the possibility that 2 interventions hypothesized to increase slower brain oscillations (e.g., theta) may enhance the efficacy of hypnosis treatment, given evidence that hypnotic responding is associated with slower brain oscillations. Thirty-two individuals with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain, fatigue, or both, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 interventions thought to increase slow wave activity (mindfulness meditation or neurofeedback training) or no enhancing intervention, and then given 5 sessions of self-hypnosis training targeting their presenting symptoms. The findings supported the potential for both neurofeedback and mindfulness to enhance response to hypnosis treatment. Research using larger sample sizes to determine the generalizability of these findings is warranted.