A new study finds that mindfulness can be an effective mood management tool for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
MS affects almost 1 million people in the United States and 2.3 million people worldwide. It is the most common neurological condition in young adults.
Although much remains unknown about the various forms of MS, new research from Ohio State University in Columbus suggests a way to help people with MS mitigate the mood changes that often accompany the condition.
The study suggests that mindfulness training can be an effective means of managing the emotional volatility that affects many people with MS. It may also improve mental processing speed.
“Our results provide promising evidence that mindfulness training can help [people with MS] deal with their emotions in a more constructive and positive way,” says corresponding study author Ruchika Prakash, an associate professor of psychology at Ohio State University.
“Studies suggest that 30–50% of [people with MS] experience some form of psychiatric disorder. Anything we can do to help them cope is important for their quality of life.”
— Ruchika Prakash
The results of the original study and secondary analysis now appear in the journals Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology, respectively.
Mindfulness is a stress reduction practice with a long history. It involves a person paying greater conscious attention to the present moment with acceptance and without judgment.
During mindfulness, people learn to focus on breathing and remaining consciously aware of the feelings in their bodies.
The American Psychological Foundation recommend