The effect of supportive-expressive therapy on hope and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)

Background Fatigue and pain are prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and frequent complaint in MS patients, which reduce their quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effect of massage therapy on pain and fatigue in MS Patients. Method The original and Persian databases were searched included PubMed, web of science, embase, ovid, scopus, and the Cochrane Library, SID, and Iranedex from inception to November 2020. Studies that reported the effect of massage on fatigue and pain were included. Two investigators extracted all relevant data, independently. For deriving analysis, mean difference (MD) and standardized mean difference (SMD) were used. Result Ten studies were eligible acoording criteria. The effect of massage on fatigue showed significant improvement (−1.62; 95% CL −2.40, −0.83; p < .00001), also results of the systematic review showed a significant reduction in pain severity. Conclusion Massage as a complementary and non-pharmacological therapy might have been associated with alleviating fatigue and pain in M.S. patients. Based on the current study, massage intervention for MS patients could have possible clinical value for palliating pain and fatigue and improving quality of life; however, this matter needs further and more significant trial studies.

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Long-Term Effectiveness of Fingolimod for Multiple Sclerosis in a Real-World Clinical Setting

European Neurology ◽

10.1159/000514828 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Cihat Uzunköprü ◽

Yesim Beckmann ◽

Sabiha Türe

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Real Life ◽

Life Assessment ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Serious Adverse Events ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Introduction: The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of fingolimod in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); secondary aims were to describe the safety of fingolimod with the evaluation of treatment satisfaction and impact on the quality of life in real life. Methods: We collected clinical, demographical, neuroradiological, and treatment data, including pre- and posttreatment status health-related quality of life from 286 MS patients consecutively treated with fingolimod. Clinical assessment was based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and quality of life assessment was performed with MS-related quality of life inventory (MSQOLI). The data were recorded at baseline and every 6 months for 2 years. Results: One hundred and fourteen males and 172 females were enrolled. The annualized relapse rate and EDSS showed a statistically significant reduction during the observation period (p < 0.001). The patients also demonstrated substantial improvements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes (p < 0.001). Health-related quality of life scores improved significantly between baseline and 24-month visit (p < 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion: In our cohort, fingolimod treatment was associated with reduced relapse, MRI activity, and improved EDSS and MSQOLI scores. Additionally, fingolimod has been able to maintain its effectiveness over a considerable long period of treatment.

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Glatiramer Acetate Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Fatigue—Beneficial Effects on Self-Assessment Scales But Not on Molecular Markers

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11030393 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 393

Author(s):

Oliver Neuhaus ◽

Wolfgang Köhler ◽

Florian Then Bergh ◽

Wolfgang Kristoferitsch ◽

Jürgen Faiss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Glatiramer Acetate ◽

Neurotrophic Factors ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Open Label ◽

Immunological Parameters ◽

Beneficial Effects

Although fatigue is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS), its pathomechanisms are incompletely understood. Glatiramer acetate (GA), an immunomodulatory agent approved for treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), possesses unique mechanisms of action and has been shown to exhibit beneficial effects on MS fatigue. The objective of this study was to correlate clinical, neuropsychological, and immunological parameters in RRMS patients with fatigue before and during treatment with GA. In a prospective, open-label, multicenter trial, 30 patients with RRMS and fatigue were treated with GA for 12 months. Inclusion criterion was the presence of fatigue as one of the most frequent and disabling symptoms. Before and during treatment, fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the MS-FSS, and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). In addition, fatigue and quality of life were assessed using the Visual Analog Scales (VAS). Laboratory assessments included screening of 188 parameters using real-time PCR microarrays followed by further analysis of several cytokines, chemokines, and neurotrophic factors. Fatigue self-assessments were completed in 25 patients. After 12 months of treatment with GA, 13 of these patients improved in all three scales (with the most prominent effects on the MFIS), whereas 5 patients had deteriorated. The remaining 7 patients exhibited inconsistent effects within the three scales. Fatigue and overall quality of life had improved, as assessed via VAS. Laboratory assessments revealed heterogeneous mRNA levels of cytokines, chemokines, and neurotrophic factors. In conclusion, we were not able to correlate clinical and molecular effects of GA in patients with RRMS and fatigue.

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Adherence to Therapy, Physical and Mental Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Journal of Personalized Medicine ◽

10.3390/jpm11070672 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 672

Author(s):

Alessandra Buja ◽

Guendalina Graffigna ◽

Simona F. Mafrici ◽

Tatjana Baldovin ◽

Carlo Pinato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Behavioral Interventions ◽

Positive Association ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Index ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adherence To Therapy

Ensuring multiple sclerosis (MS) patients’ adherence to therapy is often challenging, but it is crucial to their survival and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to outline connections between adherence, physical and mental HRQoL, levels of psychological readiness to engage in a treatment, levels of social support, anthropometric, socio-demographic and clinical factors in patients suffering from MS. This cross-sectional study involved a sample of 237 Italian MS patients. A survey was conducted with a structured self-administered online questionnaire using validated measures of quality of life, adherence to therapy and anthropometric, socio-demographic, psychological and clinical variables. A path analysis was used to test the overall structure of the associations between the variables. The pathway indicates a positive association between mental health index and a stronger degree of engagement and being or having been in a long-term relationship. Physical health index was positively associated with age, having an occupation, and having a specific form of MS. Having had relapses in the previous year raised the odds of better adherence to therapy, while an increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) reduced them. Our findings could help in the management of MS patients, promoting behavioral interventions that take the psychological and socio-demographic peculiarities of each patient into account with a view to improving their adherence to therapy.

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