[P02.163] Effects of Meditation on Pain and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis and Polyneuropathy: A Controlled Study

Jinny Tavee, Cleveland, OH, Mary Rensel, Chagrin Falls, OH, Sarah Pope Planchon, Lael Stone, Cleveland, OH

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of meditation on pain, fatigue, and physical functioning in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and polyneuropathy (PN) compared to controls. BACKGROUND: Complementary alternative medicine, which includes meditation, has recently emerged as an important treatment option for many patients with chronic neurological diseases. DESIGN/METHODS: 22 study patients (10 MS, 12 PN) and 18 controls (7 MS, 11 PN) were included in a prospective non-randomized controlled trial. A Buddhist monk led study subjects in a weekly 90-minute class incorporating concentration, mindfulness, and moving meditation over a 2-month period. Control patients were placed on a waitlist. Primary outcome assessments were based on the Short Form (SF-36) health survey and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain at baseline and 2 months. Secondary outcome measures included the Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) for PN patients and the Patient Determined Disease Spasticity (PDDS) questionnaire and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5) for MS patients. RESULTS: At two months, the study patients reported a significant improvement in pain on the VAS (p=.035 combined group) and summed physical health scores on the SF-36 (p=0.014 PN, p=0.011 MS) compared to controls. A significant improvement was also seen in SF-36 scores for physical role (p=.0174), bodily pain (p=.0309), and vitality (.0051) for MS patients. In addition, MS patients reported feeling more alert and increased ability to do things away from home on the MFIS (p=.0368, p=.0319). No statistically significant changes were seen on the NIS for PN patients, or PDDS scores for MS patients. CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE: The practice of meditation over two months resulted in significant pain reduction and improved physical health measures in MS and PN patients compared to controls. Fatigue and other quality of life measures were also reported to be significantly improved in MS patients. No similar changes were seen for spasticity (MS) or objective examination findings (PN). Supported by: Bakken Heart and Brain Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Category - MS and Related Diseases - Clinical Science

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 3:00 PM

Poster Session II: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Diseases: Clinical Research/Quality of Life (3:00 PM-7:30 PM)