Multiple sclerosis and stress

Abstract

Comments on an article by David C. Mohr et al. (see record [rid]2012-21383-008[/rid]). The authors looked at how stress may make multiple sclerosis (MS) worse. This study was a randomized controlled trial. In other words, the authors separated the people with MS into 2 groups. One group was assigned to no stress management. In the other group, the participants used specific stress management therapies. The authors used repeated MRIs of the brain, looking carefully for any changes due to MS. The goal of this study was to look at the role of emotional stress on the development of lesions in MS. There were 121 people in the study. Sixty patients were assigned to the therapy (treatment) group and 61 patients were assigned to the waitlist (control or no therapy) group. In the group that received the therapy, fewer patients developed new MS lesions when compared to those in the waitlisted group. In the therapy group, 76.8%/ 69.5% remained free of new lesions, compared to 54.7%/42.7% of the waitlist group. In the 24 weeks after treatment (therapy), the difference was not as robust, with 60.6% remaining free of new lesions vs 43% (in the no treatment group). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)