New Ways to Reduce MS Fatigue: Mindfulness & Thinking Habits

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Key Takeaway

Fatigue in MS is linked to how people notice and interpret body signals and thoughts about those sensations, and therapies that change these habits—like mindfulness or metacognitive therapy—may help reduce tiredness.

What They Found

Researchers studied 240 people with relapsing-remitting MS using questionnaires about body awareness, beliefs about thinking, mood, and fatigue. They found that anxiety and general tiredness acted like bridges that connect body awareness, negative thinking patterns, and fatigue—think of them as busy junctions on a map that spread problems to other areas. One part of body awareness, called “Not Worrying” (meaning the tendency not to get upset about uncomfortable body feelings), seemed to protect people from fatigue. People who trusted their thinking less (low cognitive confidence) were more connected to both mood problems and fatigue, suggesting doubt about thinking makes fatigue worse. Statistical tests suggested that Not Worrying reduces fatigue partly by lowering anxiety and by improving confidence in thinking, so its protective effect works through these two routes.

Who Should Care and Why

MS patients and caregivers should care because the study points to new ways to manage fatigue beyond medication—by changing how the body and thoughts are noticed and reacted to, which can be practiced at home. Healthcare providers (like neurologists, psychologists, and rehab therapists) can use this to recommend therapies that teach people to notice body signals without worrying, such as mindfulness, or to change unhelpful beliefs about thinking, like metacognitive therapy. Think of it like learning to notice a smoke alarm without panicking every time it chirps: less panic (anxiety) can make daily energy last longer. Caregivers can support simple practices (short mindfulness exercises or encouraging calm reflection) that may help reduce a loved one’s fatigue. People with MS who often feel very worried about body sensations, or who doubt their thinking, may benefit most from these approaches.

Important Considerations

This study used questionnaires taken at a single time point, so it shows links between things but can’t prove one thing causes another—like seeing that umbrellas and puddles go together but not proving rain caused them. The results are based on self-reports, which can be influenced by current mood or memory, so real-life behavior might differ. While the study suggests mindfulness and metacognitive therapy could help, actual benefit for any person with MS would need confirmation in treatment studies tailored to MS patients.

Categories:

Specific Symptoms Mental Wellness Living with MS

Article Topics:

AnxietyFatigueInteroceptive sensibilityMetacognitionMultiple sclerosis

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or are seeking to broaden your understanding of this complex, neurodegenerative disease, navigating the latest research can feel overwhelming. Studies published in respected medical journals like Acta neurologica Belgica often range from early-stage, exploratory work to advanced clinical trials. These evidence-based findings help shape new disease-modifying therapies, guide symptom management techniques, and deepen our knowledge of MS progression.

However, not all research is created equal. Some clinical research studies may have smaller sample sizes, evolving methodologies, or limitations that warrant careful interpretation. For a more comprehensive, accurate understanding, we recommend reviewing the original source material—accessible via the More Details section above—and consulting with healthcare professionals who specialize in MS care.

By presenting a wide range of MS-focused studies—spanning cutting-edge treatments, emerging therapies, and established best practices—we aim to empower patients, caregivers, and clinicians to stay informed and make well-informed decisions when managing Multiple Sclerosis.

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