Use of Audio Recordings of Self-Hypnosis and Meditation for Fatigue Management in Multiple Sclerosis

Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of two self-guided psychological treatments, Self-Hypnosis (HYP) and Mindfulness Meditation (MM) compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU) for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically significant fatigue.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Fatigue

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Self-Hypnosis (HYP)

Self-Hypnosis (HYP) teaches skills people with MS can use to effectively self-manage symptoms related to fatigue. Recordings are designed to help participants learn new strategies for influencing fatigue and its effects on their lives. The Self-Hypnosis recordings will start with a relaxation hypnotic induction (e.g., "Notice how with each breath, you are feeling more and more relaxed …") followed by hypnotic suggestions (e.g., for experiencing more energy, improved sleep, more comfort or less pain, etc.). The goal of Self-Hypnosis is to change participant's experiences. To the extent that participants respond to the suggestions, participants would then get more control over their feelings of energy, sleep quality, and comfort levels.

BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness Meditation (MM)

Mindfulness Meditation (MM) teaches skills people with MS can use to effectively self-manage symptoms related to fatigue. Recordings are designed to help participants learn about a new way to live with chronic fatigue and new ways to relate to how fatigue may influence their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The mindfulness techniques train the mind to non-judgmentally observe experience (e.g., symptoms of fatigue or pain, etc.) on a moment-to-moment basis, with an attitude of acceptance. The goal of Mindfulness Meditation is not to alter experiences, but rather to change how someone responds to their experiences. With practice, automatic, kneejerk reactions to symptoms are replaced with mindful choices about how best to respond to symptoms. This will "lighten the load" of living with the symptoms, moving participants in the valued direction of their choosing.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society

  collaborator OTHER

• The University of Queensland

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Washington

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mark Jensen, Ph.D. · University of Washington

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-04-30

Primary Completion

2023-06-27

Completion

2023-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations