Psychological Interventions for Multiple Sclerosis

Psychological Interventions

for Multiple Sclerosis

What does this mean?

We cant say for sure if psychological interventions are beneficial for people with MS due to the lack of trials and small samples.

However, there is some evidence that cognitive behavioural approaches can help with depression, and in helping people adjust to, and cope with, having MS.

Thomas PW, Thomas S, Hillier C, Galvin K, Baker R. Psychological interventions for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004431. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004431.pub2.

People with MS and cognitive difficulties

Three studies looked at people with MS and cognitive impairments. Cognitive difficulties are difficulties with mental processes, such as memory, concentration, reasoning and judgement. These studies showed some evidence for cognitive rehabilitation on cognitive outcomes.

However, a large number of different things were measured so this makes these results difficult to interpret.

People with MS

What was found?

Seven studies looked at just people with MS. Three studies showed that cognitive behavioural therapy, a form of psychological intervention, may help people adjust to, and cope with, having MS.

The four other trials differed greatly and had multiple outcome measures making them difficult to interpret.

How will this review be done?

People with MS and moderate to severe physical disability

Overall 16 studies were identified. Four mini reviews were written based on the different people the studies were looking at.

These were 1) People with MS and cognitive difficulties 2) People with MS an moderate to severe disability 3) People with MS 4) People with MS and depression.

Three studies were found that looked at people with MS who had moderate to severe physical disability. One study found that psychotherapy, a form of psychological intervention, may help with depression in people with MS. However, this study was only done with a small number of people so it is difficult to say for certain that this helps.

A Cochrane review identifies all studies that provide high quality evidence in a research area. These studies are then put together to attempt to answer a research question.

People with MS and depression

Why was this review undertaken?

Three trials looked at people with MS who had depression. Two studies showed that receiving cognitive behavioural therapy had a significant effect on levels of depression.

However, these trials had a small number of participants so it is difficult to generalise the results.

What is MS?

A diagnosis of MS, and living with the unpredictable nature of the disease, can have a negative psychological effect on a person. Depression and anxiety are common in people with MS.

This review was undertaken to see if psychological interventions, programmes to change thoughts, feelings and behaviours to reduce difficulties or improve the psychological well-being can help.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a serious health condition that gets worse over time. In people with MS, the body's guard against defense, the immune system, attacks and causes damage to the central nervous system. This can cause a number of problems such as the way a persons body works, a persons speech, a persons eyesight and a persons mental processes (e.g. memory, concentration). MS is progressive and can get worse at any moment.