A supplementary training program integrating cold exposure, breathing exercises and mindfulness as a complementary treatment for neuropsychological aspects of multiple sclerosis – a pilot interventional study

IF 2.9 3区医学 Q2 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY Multiple sclerosis and related disorders Pub Date : 2025-07-01 Epub Date: 2025-04-16 DOI:10.1016/j.msard.2025.106450

Darina Slezáková , Louise Mária Adamová , Peter Marček , Pavol Kadlic , Michaela Konečná , Peter Valkovič , Michal Minár

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Abstract

Background

Most of the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from cognitive impairment, fatigue and/or mood disturbances. These symptoms are usually resistant to both disease-modifying and symptomatic treatment. Since there is a trend to a holistic approach to MS patients, we aimed to confirm the effect of combined cold exposure, controlled breathing and mindfulness - Wim Hof Method (WHM) – on neuropsychiatric symptoms of MS.

Methods

In this randomized interventional study we examined the change in the score of specific neuropsychiatric scales/questionnaires before and after the 12-week WHM-based training program. We compared the change with a control group with no intervention.

Results

We obtained complete data from 12 patients in the WHM group and 13 patients in the control group. After 12 weeks, the WHM group had significantly higher improvement in cognition - SDMT (p = 0.045), TMT-A (p = 0.041), TMT-B (p < 0.001); fatigue - FSMCC (p = 0.039); anxiety - GAD (p = 0.015), and depression - PHQ-9 (p = 0.033).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the Wim Hof method appears to be a suitable complementary non-pharmacological treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms of MS.

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一项综合冷暴露、呼吸练习和正念的补充训练计划，作为多发性硬化症神经心理方面的补充治疗——一项试验性介入研究

大多数多发性硬化症（MS）患者患有认知障碍、疲劳和/或情绪障碍。这些症状通常对改善疾病和对症治疗都有抵抗力。鉴于对多发性硬化症患者采用整体治疗的趋势，我们的目的是确认冷暴露、控制呼吸和正念相结合的威姆霍夫方法（WHM）对多发性硬化症神经精神症状的影响。方法：在这项随机介入研究中，我们研究了在为期12周的以威姆霍夫方法为基础的训练计划前后特定神经精神量表/问卷得分的变化。我们将这一变化与没有干预的对照组进行了比较。结果WHM组12例，对照组13例获得完整资料。12周后，WHM组在认知方面的改善显著更高——SDMT （p = 0.045）、TMT-A （p = 0.041）、TMT-B (p <；0.001);疲劳- FSMCC (p = 0.039)；焦虑- GAD (p = 0.015)，抑郁- PHQ-9 （p = 0.033）。结论Wim Hof法是一种适合于MS神经精神症状的非药物辅助治疗方法。

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来源期刊

Multiple sclerosis and related disorders CLINICAL NEUROLOGY-

CiteScore

5.80

自引率

20.00%

发文量

814

审稿时长

66 days

期刊介绍： Multiple Sclerosis is an area of ever expanding research and escalating publications. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders is a wide ranging international journal supported by key researchers from all neuroscience domains that focus on MS and associated disease of the central nervous system. The primary aim of this new journal is the rapid publication of high quality original research in the field. Important secondary aims will be timely updates and editorials on important scientific and clinical care advances, controversies in the field, and invited opinion articles from current thought leaders on topical issues. One section of the journal will focus on teaching, written to enhance the practice of community and academic neurologists involved in the care of MS patients. Summaries of key articles written for a lay audience will be provided as an on-line resource. A team of four chief editors is supported by leading section editors who will commission and appraise original and review articles concerning: clinical neurology, neuroimaging, neuropathology, neuroepidemiology, therapeutics, genetics / transcriptomics, experimental models, neuroimmunology, biomarkers, neuropsychology, neurorehabilitation, measurement scales, teaching, neuroethics and lay communication.