Effectiveness of non-pharmacological rehabilitation interventions in pain management in patients with multiple sclerosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions, including mindfulness, in reducing pain intensity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Results Summary
The study found that mindfulness significantly reduced pain intensity in MS patients (SMD -0.55, 95% CI -0.96 to -0.14, P = 0.009), indicating a meaningful therapeutic effect.
Population
Adults with multiple sclerosis experiencing pain.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
neuromodulation | decrease | pain intensity | patients with MS | SMD -0.51, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.09, P = 0.02 | significant effect on pain intensity reduction | #1 |
transcranial direct current stimulation | decrease | pain intensity | patients with MS | SMD -0.67, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.16, P = 0.01 | significant effect on pain intensity reduction | #2 |
mind-body therapies | decrease | pain intensity | patients with MS | SMD -0.45, 95% CI -0.82 to -0.7, P = 0.02 | significant improvement in pain intensity | #3 |
mindfulness | decrease | pain intensity | patients with MS | SMD -0.55, 95% CI -0.96 to -0.14, P = 0.009 | significant improvement in pain intensity | #4 |
hypnosis | decrease | pain intensity | patients with MS | SMD -0.88, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.46, P = 0.0001 | significant improvement in pain intensity | #5 |
trigger point therapies | decrease | pain intensity | patients with MS | SMD -0.83, 95% CI -1.65 to -0.01, P = 0.05 | significant improvement in pain intensity | #6 |
cognitive behavioral therapy | decrease | pain intensity | patients with MS | SMD -0.64, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.11, P = 0.02 | significant improvement in pain intensity | #7 |
relaxation therapy | no change | pain | patients with MS | SMD -0.82, 95% CI -1.94 to 0.31, P = 0.15 | no significant effect on pain reduction | #8 |
non-pharmacological rehabilitation interventions | decrease | pain intensity | patients with MS | - | showed potential therapeutic effects in reducing pain intensity | #9 |
BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive inflammatory and autoimmune neurological disease caused by inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system. Pain is a typical symptom of central nervous system demyelination, affecting 63% of adults with MS. Recently, the role of non-pharmacological pain management in patients is growing because the non-pharmacological interventions are considered safe, affordable, easy, and accessible. However, to date, no systematic reviews or meta-analyses have comprehensively examined the therapeutic effects of the variety of non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions in the management of pain in patients with MS. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of the non-pharmacological rehabilitation interventions in pain management in patients with MS. METHODS: A comprehensive search using PubMed, Cochrane, and Science Direct databases was performed and included all randomized controlled trials, randomized cross-over trials, and quasi-experimental trials assessing the effect of non-pharmacological interventions for managing pain in patients with MS. This study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines of a systematic review and pair-wise meta-analysis. Meta-analyses were performed by calculating the standardized mean difference at a 95% confidence interval using Review Manager software. RESULTS: Twenty-nine papers were included in the systematic review, and only 22 of them were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed a significant effect of neuromodulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on pain intensity reduction in patients with MS (SMD -0.51, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.09, P = 0.02), (SMD -0.67, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.16 P = 0.01), respectively. The analysis showed significant improvement in pain intensity in patient with MS after mind-body therapies (SMD -0.45, 95% CI -0.82 to -0.7, P = 0.02), mindfulness (SMD -0.55, 95% CI -0.96 to -0.14, P = 0.009), hypnosis (SMD -0.88, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.46, P = 0.0001), trigger point therapies (SMD -0.83, 95% CI -1.65 to -0.01, P = 0.05) and cognitive behavioral therapy (SMD -0.64, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.11, P = 0.02). However, there is no significant effect of relaxation therapy on pain reduction in patients with MS (SMD -0.82, 95% CI -1.94 to 0.31, P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the majority of the non-pharmacological rehabilitation interventions showed potential therapeutic effects in reducing pain intensity in patients with MS.