%0 Journal Article
%T Can a stress management programme reduce stress and improve quality of life in people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis?
%A Amanda Lydon
%A Jeannette Lechner-Scott
%A Rodney Lea
%A Sally Shaw
%A Sheila Mortimer-Jones
%A Susan Agland
%J Multiple Sclerosis Journal
%@ 2055-2173
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/2055217318813179
%X Despite evidence of perceived stress as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis activity, the evidence for managing stress is limited. Objective To evaluate a stress management programme on perceived stress and quality of life, over 6 months. One hundred people with multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned to either a stress management programme of mindfulness, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, or wait list. Perceived stress and quality of life were assessed at three intervals across 6 months. Salivary cortisol levels were assessed at two intervals: baseline and first follow-up. The stress management programme did not significantly reduce perceived stress, when comparing mean scores. Secondary analysis using median scores found a significant improvement for quality of life, favouring the intervention group. Stress management had no significant effect on the primary outcome of perceived stress but did improve quality of life in a secondary analysis of median scores
%K Multiple sclerosis
%K stress management
%K meditation
%K mindfulness
%K progressive muscle relaxation
%K perceived stress
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2055217318813179