A systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for improving quality of life (QoL) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) via meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Results Summary
MBIs effectively improved QoL in PwMS, with an overall standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.40 (p = 0.0003), showing the greatest benefits on mental health-related QoL. However, optimal formatting, mechanisms of action, and effects in diverse populations require further research.
Population
People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) who remained ambulatory; cognitively impaired individuals were largely excluded.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | Quality of life (QoL) | people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) | - | effectively improve | #1 |
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | mental health-related QoL | people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) | - | improved | #2 |
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) | increase | any QoL measure | people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) | 0.40 (0.18-0.61) | overall effect size | #3 |
BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) is commonly impaired among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The aim of this study was to evaluate via meta-analysis the efficacy of Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for improving QoL in PwMS. METHODS: Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified via searching six major electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, AMED, and PsycINFO) in April 2022. The primary outcome was QoL. Study quality was determined using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis using a random effects model was undertaken. Effect sizes are reported as Standardized Mean Difference (SMD). Prospero ID: 139835. RESULTS: From a total of 1312 individual studies, 14 RCTs were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis, total participant n = 937. Most studies included PwMS who remained ambulatory. Cognitively impaired PwMS were largely excluded. Comorbidities were inconsistently reported. Most MBIs were delivered face-to face in group format, but five were online. Eight studies (n = 8) measured MS-specific QoL. In meta-analysis, overall effect size (SMD) for any QoL measure (n = 14) was 0.40 (0.18-0.61), p = 0.0003, I CONCLUSIONS: MBIs effectively improve QoL in PwMS. The greatest benefits are on mental health-related QoL. However, more research is needed to characterize optimal formatting, mechanisms of action, and effects in PwMS with more diverse social, educational, and clinical backgrounds.