The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction in fatigue severity among patients with multiple sclerosis

Fatigue is one of the most common problems in MS patients that has many negative effects on their lives. The current investigation scrutinized the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention on fatigue severity in patients with multiple sclerosis.  

The study performed in experimental design with control group and pretest, posttest and follow up. Statistical population was all the men and women suffering from multiple sclerosis with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis who referred to MS Society of Neyshabur in the spring of 2016. The sample consisted of 47 patients. The sampling method was convenience, and then was randomly divided into two experimental groups (n = 22) and the control (n = 25). Fatigue severity questionnaire was used as the instrument. Repeated measures analysis of variance with mixed-design was used to analyze the data. The sampling formula based on G-POWER included the size of the effect and the statistical power of the test.

The results of the univariate test on the effect of time indicated that the effect of time on fatigue was significant (F=59.82, P<0.001). Considering the interactive effect of time and group, it was also found that the interactive effect of time and group on fatigue was significant (F = 35.58, P<0.001).

The obtained results revealed that mindfulness significantly improved fatigue in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. These findings were consistent in the follow-up.