Multiple sclerosis

Patients with Multiple Sclerosis is often advised to avoid stress. That is a good stress management can actually influence the course of low, has now a study from Chicago showed.

Long is believed that there is a link between psychological stress in multiple sclerosis and the development of new lesions. Many physicians believe that it may be caused by stress to an escalation of inflammatory processes, which play a role in multiple sclerosis. Now a randomized clinical trial showed that in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the formation of new lesions can be effectively reduced by a stress management program.

Now a randomized clinical trial showed that in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the formation of new lesions can be effectively reduced by a stress management program. Successively received both groups over a period of 24 weeks a total of 16 course hours, in which the patients improved their ability to avoid both stress-prone situations as well as to deal better with such situations. The researchers gave the patient’s problem solving techniques, to relax and to increase positive activities and to improve social support. In addition, there were offered for fatigue management, the reduction of anxiety, pain management and sleep disorders.

Stress management was significant effect.

During the whole period, the patients were examined three times each in a magnetic resonance imaging to assess the activity of multiple sclerosis. Both gadolinium-enhancing lesions receiving that usually show only a temporary inflammation, as well as T2-weighted lesions that indicate rather a permanent injury, a significant reduction resulted. The reduced of lesion score was revenue regardless of whether the patient immune modulating medications (such as beta interferons and glatiramer acetate) or not.

According to the study can therefore influence the disease course of multiple sclerosis positive effect on stress management. Study leader explained that the therapeutic effects could be quite measure with the effect of some medications. However, the effect hold similar to a drug therapy – while on how to operate the stress management. Mohr also stressed that the program is not a substitute for medical treatment, but should be considered only as a supplement. And since it is precisely at the MS Many factors play a role and its course is always difficult to predict, further studies will now be carried out to substantiate the therapeutic approach.