Researchers were curious about the impact stress management training might have on patients with multiple sclerosis. Doctors have known for many years that multiple sclerosis patients can see dramatic worsening of symptoms during periods of increased stress. These researchers were intrigued to find out if teaching stress management skills to multiple sclerosis patients would improve their symptoms.
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This study that was done at Northwestern University in Chicago, delighted doctors as they discovered that patients who underwent extensive training in stress management techniques realized substantial improvements in their condition during the training period when compared to individuals who did not receive the same kind of training.
Stress management training includes teaching participants relaxation skills, problem solving techniques, alternative positive behaviors and anxiety reduction. In this particular study, participants were also offered the option of learning pain management skills, insomnia treatment and fatigue management training.
However, study participants were not able to maintain health improvements after the stress management training period ended. Researchers suggest that the support system provided by the training program allowed study participants to apply their new skills during periods of stress. Once this support was removed, study participants may have found it difficult to sustain their new skills. However, the researchers are optimistic that if MS patients can continue the stress management techniques, it will greatly reduce symptoms.
Doctors treating multiple sclerosis patients know that stress has a substantial impact on increased activity of the illness. Finding noninvasive treatment modalities for MS patients may be a way to help them gain control of the illness and improve overall health outcomes. Although the study on stress management training is only a preliminary study, the results were similar to those found in current medication studies, suggesting there may be better, less toxic alternatives to treatments for multiple sclerosis.
– The Alternative Daily