A randomized trial of stress management for the prevention of new brain lesions in MS.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This trial examined the efficacy of a stress management program in reducing neuroimaging markers of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity.

Methods

A total of 121 patients with relapsing forms of MS were randomized to receive stress management therapy for MS (SMT-MS) or a wait-list control condition. SMT-MS provided 16 individual treatment sessions over 24 weeks, followed by a 24-week post-treatment follow-up. The primary outcome was the cumulative number of new gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) brain lesions on MRI at weeks 8, 16, and 24. Secondary outcomes included new or enlarging T2 MRI lesions, brain volume change, clinical exacerbation, and stress.

Results

SMT-MS resulted in a reduction in cumulative Gd+ lesions (p = 0.04) and greater numbers of participan

SUBMITTER: Mohr DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3405245 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature