Senders et al. Mind-body medicine for multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:567324. doi: 10.1155/2012/567324.
Background: Mind-body therapies are used to manage physical and psychological symptoms in many chronic health conditions.
Objective:
To assess the published evidence for using mind-body techniques for
symptom management of multiple sclerosis. Methods. MEDLINE, PsycINFO,
and Cochrane Clinical Trials Register were searched from inception to
March 24, 2012. Eleven mind-body studies were reviewed (meditation,
yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis, relaxation, and imagery).
Results: Four high quality trials (yoga, mindfulness, relaxation, and biofeedback) were found helpful for a variety of MS symptoms.
Conclusions:
The evidence for mind-body medicine in MS is limited, yet mind-body
therapies are relatively safe and may provide a non-pharmacological
benefit for MS symptoms.
Whilst many of you believe in the
virtues of non-pharmaceutical approach, the simple fact as shown here,
is that there is not enough good evidence to support things one way or
another. Who will fund the studies and who will undertake them?