Stress Management Program May Prevent New Disease Activity in MS Patients

New research reveals that taking part in a stress management program may help prevent new disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings appear in the July 11, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The study involved 121 people with MS. Half underwent a stress management program, meeting with a therapist for 16 individual, 50-minute sessions over the course of five to six months. They learned about problem-solving skills, relaxation, increasing positive activities and how to enhance their social support. Participants also could choose optional sessions on topics such as fatigue management, anxiety reduction, pain management and insomnia treatment. After the treatment ended, they were followed for another five to six months. The remaining patients were put on a waiting list as a control group. After 10 months, they attended a five-hour workshop on stress management. For more information, click here to read the full release.