Abstract
Objective
To examine the effects of mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions (MABIs)
on reducing symptoms in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Data Sources
A comprehensive search was conducted within the PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS
databases for articles published from inception to July 3, 2020.
Study Selection
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if MABIs were provided to individuals
with MS exclusively, with reported pre-and posttest results in symptoms of depression,
anxiety, stress, fatigue, or pain.
Data Extraction
Characteristics of the included RCTs and data for meta-analysis were extracted. The
quality of the included RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of
bias tool.
Data Synthesis
A random effects model with the inverse variance method was used with effect size
reported as standardized mean difference. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.
Results
Twenty-three RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analyses found large effects
of MABIs on reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and pain, as well as a
moderate effect of MABIs on reducing fatigue at the immediate posttest. Large effects
of MABIs on reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress at follow-up were also
found, whereas a moderate effect on reducing fatigue was found at follow-up. There
was no significant effect of MABIs on reducing pain at follow-up.
Conclusions
Fewer studies were included in meta-analyses for pain at the immediate posttest and
follow-up and stress and fatigue at follow-up. The overall risk of bias was unclear.
Future high-quality studies with follow-up evaluations are needed to support effects
of MABIs on reducing symptoms in individuals with MS and examine intervention features
that increase and maintain effects.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), CI (confidence interval), DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), MABI (mindfulness- and acceptance-based intervention), MBCT (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy), MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction), MS (multiple sclerosis), RCT (randomized controlled trial), SMD (standardized mean difference), TAU (treatment as usual), WLC (wait-list control)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 01, 2021
Accepted:
March 19,
2021
Received in revised form:
February 12,
2021
Received:
December 13,
2020
Footnotes
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
