The Effects of Mindfulness Training on the Symptoms of MS (v1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Effects of Mindfulness Training on the Frequency and Severity of the Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
IRAS ID
137309
Contact name
Kelly Rayner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Tees Esk Wear and Valley
Research summary
This research will study the participants involved in a mindfulness training group in order to assess how undertaking the mindfulness intervention may effect the physical and psychological symptoms associated with MS.
The mindfulness group is based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s mindfulness based stress reduction programme, developed to help individuals suffering from chronic illnesses, the programme generally includes relaxation and meditation techniques in order to tune into the present moment. The mindfulness training being used in this research is an 8 session course, where training is provided once per week for 8 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 1.5 hours.
Mindfulness interventions have been shown to be useful for a range of illnesses, this research aims to show if the intervention is a useful and valid part of treatment plans for individuals with MS.
To be eligible to take part in this study, individuals must have a formal relapsing-remitting MS diagnosis.
The mindfulness intervention and the research measures will both take place on NHS property, specifically at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.
Participants will be required to provide information to us in the form of an interview and standardised assessments before and after the training programme. The measures in total will require around 3.5 hours of commitment from participants, spread over 3 sessions (pre, and 2 post). The pre-measurements will be taken immediately before the 8 week mindfulness programme starts, the first post measure will be taken immediately after the programme has finished and another post measure will be taken 4 weeks after that in order to see if any change has been maintained.
Data gathered from the research will be analysed in order to assess for changes in the severity and frequency of the physical and psychological symptoms associated with MS.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0067
Date of REC Opinion
1 May 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion