June 2, 2021 News by Margarida Maia, PhD MS Patients May Apply for Mental Health, Addiction Treatment Scholarship The Red Songbird Foundation welcomes people withĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) who are struggling with issues relating to mental health or substance abuse to apply for its Jason Davis Scholarship. The award will cover the costs of a full treatment, given in California, addressing a serious mental health or substance use…
May 11, 2021 Columns by Jessie Ace I Regained Control From an MS Flare by Challenging Myself to Run I challenged myself to run 10 miles in April. I didnāt know at the time how I would make it work, because I was numb from the neck down due to an MS flare. But I was eager to take back control…
April 23, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS #AANAM ā Tysabri Improves Quality of Life, Can Reduce Infection Risk Editorās note: TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis News TodayĀ team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17ā22. GoĀ hereĀ to read the latest stories from the conference. Treatment with Tysabri (natalizumab) can improve mental and social health in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new…
January 19, 2021 Columns by Jessie Ace How to Overcome January Blues in 5 Easy Steps Can January March? No, but April May!Ā OK, well, I thought it was funny.Ā Nothing beats the January blues like bad puns, right? Letās face it. For most people, January sucks. The end of the year is full of excitement. There are…
November 17, 2020 Columns by Jessie Ace How to Survive the End of the Year When You Have MS The end of the year is incredibly difficult.Ā We already have to put up with more than others because of our MS.Ā In addition to that, the weather changes, the clocks turn back, and there is less sunlight, meaning vitamin…
October 26, 2020 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Caregivers, VX-765 Majority of MS Patients in US Report Mistreatment by Caregivers in Survey This is a serious issue, but it’s not as pervasive as this headline makes it appear. The survey looked only at the treatment of people with advanced MS, the 30% of people with MS who need help…
October 14, 2020 News by Teresa Carvalho, MS Caregivers of Youth With MS, Other Ills Invited to Survey on Mental Health Access to mental health services for children with a rare disease or other medical or mental health disorder is the focus of an online survey by therapists at Childrenās Friend, an affiliate of theĀ Seven Hills Foundation. The foundation, based in Worcester, Massachusetts, runs a variety of programs through…
July 21, 2020 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Putting Myself First “Take the time you need,” “This too shall pass,” and “You canāt pour from an empty cup” are just a few idioms I have used to encourage others. Strong shoulders carry heavy loads. My shoulders bear the weight of myself and countless others. The DNA of an empath is…
July 2, 2020 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell How to Feed Your Soul and Find Positivity Amid MS Our thoughts influence our being. The stories we tell ourselves frame our reality. They affect the decisions we make, our behaviors, and ultimately our overall mindset. These serve to either nourish or starve our psyche. If we are what we eat, then are we what we think? Absolutely. We cannot…
June 9, 2020 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Biogen, MS Trust Open ‘ACT Myself’ to Help With Emotional Well-being A new digital tool aims to help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) deal with the emotional burden of their diagnosis, guiding them to focus on what matters most in their lives rather than the pain of living with MS. The self-help tool, named ACT MySelf, was developed by…
June 4, 2020 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell Connecting Through MS on World MS Day 2020 May 30 was World MS Day 2020, an annual initiative for the MS community worldwide to unite. The Multiple Sclerosis International FederationĀ created this global campaign to educate, raise awareness, and offer hope. Its free, online resources provide an abundance of helpful information. Fittingly, the theme for World MS…
June 2, 2020 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Are You Sincere When You Ask, ‘How Are You?’ How are you? These three words are ingrained in our vernacular. The question is often asked as a kind gesture, a greeting of sort. Are we truthful in our inquiry, and are we genuinely interested in how someone is faring? The intent of this weekās column is to explain the…
February 17, 2020 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Insomnia and MS Given Intimate Focus in Short Film ‘Awake’ by UK Group Insomnia, and all that repeat sleepless nights mean, burden a vast majority ā 85% ā of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a survey of patients who are part of the Shift.MSĀ social network in the U.K. reports. The online community of more than 30,000 people examines this symptom in…
January 29, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Mental Health of Women Affected by Caring for Children with MS, Study Suggests Caring for children with multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect the mental health of their mothers over the long term, a study has found. The study, “Increased mental health care use by mothers of children with multiple sclerosis,” was published in the journal Neurology. People with…
November 8, 2019 Columns by Jamie Hughes Simple Signs with Messages of Hope Resonate with Me Iām not a superstitious person always on the lookout for signs and omens. I donāt read the wrappers on Dove chocolates or seek life advice from the paper slips inside fortune cookies. I consult my horoscope but merely for the entertainment value. However, the last few months have been rough,…
October 31, 2019 News by Ana Pena PhD Medicinal Cannabinoids Not Effective for Mental Disorders, Small Relief on MS Anxiety, Analysis Suggests A joint analysis of 83 studies, involving 3,000 people, concluded that there is “scarce evidence” to say that the use of medicinal cannabinoids ā chemical compounds in the cannabis plant ā is able to improve mental health conditions. However, the use of pharmaceutical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may lead to…
October 10, 2019 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Ills Like Depression, Hypertension More Common in MS Patients Than Others in US, Blue Cross Report Finds Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the U.S. are three times moreĀ likely to have mental or behavioral health issues, including depression and substance abuseĀ (substance use disorder), than the general population, a report based on commercial insurance claims by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) found. All…
September 23, 2019 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD Partnership Aims for FDA-approved App That Aids Mental Health in MS, Sanofi Announces SanofiĀ is working with Happify HealthĀ to develop an app that addresses the mental health of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) through cognitive behavior therapy. The physical symptoms of MS, such as fatigue and spasticity, are well-documented. But many patients also struggle with bouts of depression,…
August 13, 2019 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Study Shows Range of Psychological and Physical Problems in Opioid-addicted MS Patients Opioid addiction increases the risk for a number of physical and psychological problems in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study has found. The study, “Impact of opium dependency on clinical and neuropsychological indices of multiple sclerosis patients,” was published in the journalĀ Neurological Sciences. Opioids,…
July 15, 2019 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD CMSC Opens Weeklong Mental Health Program to Help Mentor and Train MS Specialists The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), working with the Foundation of the CMSC (FCMSC) and EMD Serono, launched a new Mental Health Mini-Mentorship Program to help clinicians better understand the psychological and mental health challenges that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) face on a daily…
May 21, 2019 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Staying Afloat in the Middle of the Storm The storms keep coming. Whenever I think I will land ashore, a hurricane sends me back into the eye of the storm. I want to write; however, I fall short of time and, ultimately, the words to explicate all I am going through. Most writers have interval writer’s block. Emotional…
April 23, 2019 News by Ana Pena PhD Study Will Explore Benefits of Tai Chi, Meditation on MS Patients’ Physical Balance A pilot study has been launched toĀ assess the immediate and enduring benefits of tai chi and mindfulness meditation on the physical balance and mental wellness of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This community-based study ā currently enrolling participants ā is being conducted by the Motor Control Lab directed by Richard van Emmerik, PhD, professor of kinesiology atĀ theĀ University of Massachusetts Amherst.Ā The project was awarded a $54,972 one-year grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. While many MS symptoms vary from patient to patient, depending on the extent and location of the damage in the brain and spinal cord, difficulty in maintaining physical balanceĀ is a generalized complaint. Several MS symptoms can have an effect on balance, includingĀ difļ¬cultiesĀ with coordination, tremor and muscle weakness, stiffness, orĀ dizziness and vertigo. "Mind-body interventions are beneficial as they train dynamic balance, such as transitioning between postures, turning, reaching, etc., in a manner similar to movements in daily life," Julianna Averill, a doctoral student at van Emmerikās lab, said in a press release. Postural control and balance confidence is crucial to prevent patients' falls and reduce their fear of falling. Finding strategies that help patients cope and overcome this limitation is crucial, Averill noted. Contrary to other studies, which focus on mental health benefits, this project will look mostly at the effects of mindfulness practice on physical balance. Tai chi also will be evaluated for its potential to improve patientsā balance, both while they are standing and as they move. Participants will be randomly assigned to either eight weeks of free tai chi at YMAA Western Mass Tai Chi or mindfulness meditation classes at Downtown Mindfulness, in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that involvesĀ bodyĀ stretching and slow, focused, flowing postures that keep the body in motion. Mindfulness meditation is based on mindfulness practices, including training on body scan meditation, and loving kindness meditation. Participants will attend classes for 2.5 hours per week, where they will receive training to complete an additional 2.5 hours at home each week. At home, participants are asked to listen to meditation podcasts, or watch tai chi videos via a website that also tracks their activity. āThe participants will be trained, and they will be able to practice on their own,āĀ Averill said. Patients' postural sway will be recorded by wearable sensors while performing distinct movements at the study start, at the end of all classes, and two weeks later. On the same visits, participants will be surveyed to assess the frequency of falls, balance confidence, level of fatigue, and ability to cope and adapt. āWeāre taking a more holistic look, considering the whole person and overall quality of life,āĀ Averill said. The team plans to enroll 30 participants withĀ mild-to-moderate MS symptoms, aged 21 to 70, and who areĀ able to stand and move without assistance for 15 minutes. For more information about the study and how to participate, contact Averill at [email protected].
November 21, 2018 Columns by Cathy Chester Taking a Break from the News to Keep Stress at Bay We live in a turbulent, violent, and hostile society. We wake up every day to news of another mass shooting, Mother Nature causing unstoppable damage, loud protests by politicians or citizens, or an exchange of angry barbs across social media. Ā Bad news…
June 19, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Importance of a Positive Support Network In July 2017, I participated in a Facebook chat for MS News Today entitled āThe Importance of Support And Positive Influences.” The chat was created to prompt a discussion on the necessity of support and resources for a person living with MS or other chronic illnesses. And now…
May 22, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson MS and Mental Illness: The World Needs You Spring has sprung! As I look around, Mother Earth is in bloom. Trees are sprouting new leaves, plants are growing, and the grass isĀ green once again. I love spring and all that it represents ā hopes for new birth and rebirth. For those who are unaware, May is Mental…
May 10, 2018 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Social Network for MS Patients Launched by Curatio and BioScript Solutions Curatio and BioScript Solutions recently launched a mobile patient engagement platform designed to provide multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a way to connect, share experiences, and gain new knowledge. The private, free social network app was introduced at the recentĀ HLTH conference, which took place May 6-9…
May 3, 2018 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell Let Go and Live Six weeks ago, Abby, my golden retriever, had a seizure. I was sitting behind her when she began to rock; I have never moved so fast. I could only see the bloodshot whites of her eyes as she whimpered lightly and I began to wail. I intuitively hugged her,…
March 7, 2018 News by Diogo Pinto Novartis, Pear Collaborating on Digital Therapeutics to Treat MS, Schizophrenia Novartis and Pear Therapeutics are joining forces to develop novel prescription digital therapeutics to treat patients with schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis (MS). Digital therapeutics are software applications designed to treat diseases and improve clinical outcomes for patients.Ā Combining Novartisā expertise in biomedical research and clinical development with Pearās…
January 16, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Stigma Surrounding Depression Lots of columns and articles look at issues surrounding the topics of depression and mental health-related disorders. I have referenced them in various columns. What saddens me is the stigma surrounding depression that prevails in our society. There are many who struggle with depression and other forms of…
September 15, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Probiotics Consumption May Improve Certain Disease Parameters in MS Patients, Study Suggests Probiotics may improve the health of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) by reducing disability and improving inflammatory and metabolic parameters, an Iranian study shows. Live microorganisms linked to health benefits, known as probiotics, have long been known to help chronic disease patients. In a previous study of people with major depressive disorder, probiotics treatment for eight weeks improved patientsā depression and metabolic parameters. More recently, authors investigated the impact of probiotics on a group of MS patients, looking not only at mental health and metabolic indicators, but also disability scores. Researchers at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti Hospital recruited 60 MS patients, divided them in half, and assigned 30 to take a probiotic capsule and 30 a placebo once a day for 12 weeks. The probiotic contained the healthy bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus fermentum. Researchers measured patientsā health parameters and disability scores at baseline and after treatment. The results showed that probiotic intake after 12 weeks improved MS patients' disability scores (assessed by the expanded disability status scale, EDSS) when compared to placebo controls. Although this improvement was statistically significant, it was not clinically significant ā which is defined as a change of 1.0 point or more at EDSS levels less than 5.5, or 0.5 point or more at EDSS levels greater than 5.5). Moreover, benefits were also detected in several mental health parameters ā Beck Depression Inventory, general health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), depression anxiety and stress scale. Consuming probiotic capsules also significantly decreased insulin levels and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in circulation, researchers also found. It also lowered certain markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, such as serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA).