There is a well-established adverse reciprocal relationship between
stress and multiple sclerosis (MS). However, stress management in these
patients has been parsimoniously studied. In this parallel randomized
controlled trial, relapsing-remitting MS patients were randomly assigned
to undergo either an 8-week stress management program (n 31; relaxation
breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, twice a day) or not (n 30).
Self-reported validated measures were used to evaluate perceived stress,
health locus of control, anxiety, and depression. Daily diaries of MS
symptoms were also kept by patients. In patients in the intervention
group, perceived stress and symptoms of depression were significantly
decreased after 8 weeks of relaxation. Repeated measures analyses showed
significant group-by-time interactions for both the number of weekly
symptoms and the mean intensity per symptom. No other significant change
was reported. We deem that our results should encourage future studies
that will incorporate more objective clinical and laboratory outcomes