Hypnosis and mindfulness audio recordings for reducing fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of 4 weeks of access to mindfulness meditation (MM) audio recordings on fatigue impact in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Results Summary
Participants assigned to MM reported significantly greater reductions in fatigue impact, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptom severity compared to the control group, with improvements maintained for up to 28 weeks and no serious adverse events.
Population
Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and fatigue (n=333).
Effective Dosage
Access to mindfulness meditation audio recordings (specific frequency not detailed).
Duration
4 weeks of access, with follow-up assessments at 16 and 28 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) audio recordings | decrease | fatigue impact | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | significantly greater reductions | #1 |
mindfulness meditation (MM) audio recordings | decrease | fatigue impact | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | significantly greater reductions | #2 |
therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) audio recordings | decrease | sleep disturbance | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | significantly greater reductions | #3 |
mindfulness meditation (MM) audio recordings | decrease | sleep disturbance | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | significantly greater reductions | #4 |
therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) audio recordings | decrease | depressive symptom severity | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | significantly greater reductions | #5 |
mindfulness meditation (MM) audio recordings | decrease | depressive symptom severity | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | significantly greater reductions | #6 |
therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) audio recordings | no change | improvements | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | maintained | #7 |
mindfulness meditation (MM) audio recordings | no change | improvements | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | maintained | #8 |
therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) audio recordings | no change | serious adverse events | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | did not result in | #9 |
mindfulness meditation (MM) audio recordings | no change | serious adverse events | individuals with MS and fatigue | - | did not result in | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common problem in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the effects on fatigue of having 4 weeks of access to audio recordings of therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) and mindfulness meditation (MM) practices. METHODS: A total of 333 individuals with MS and fatigue were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment conditions for 28 weeks: (1) access to therapeutic HYP audio recordings, (2) access to MM audio recordings, or (3) no access to recordings (treatment as usual or TAU). Fatigue impact (primary outcome) and other outcomes were assessed at 4, 16, and 28 weeks after random assignment. RESULTS: Participants assigned to the HYP and MM conditions reported significantly greater reductions in fatigue impact, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptom severity than participants assigned to the TAU condition after 4 weeks of access to audio recordings of these interventions. These improvements were maintained for 16 and 28 weeks following initial access and did not result in any serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: Given the ease with which audio recordings of HYP and MM could be provided to individuals with MS, the findings support the feasibility of a simple approach to have a significant beneficial impact on people with MS-related fatigue.