title: Can meditation influence quality of life, depression, and disease outcome in multiple sclerosis? Findings from a large international web-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the association between meditation and health related quality of life (HRQOL), depression, fatigue, disability level, relapse rates, and disease activity in a large international sample of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were invited to take part in an online survey and answer questions relating to HRQOL, depression, fatigue, disability, relapse rates, and their involvement in meditation practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically and potentially clinically significant differences between those who meditated once a week or more and participants who never meditated were present for mean mental health composite (MHC) scores, cognitive function scale, and health perception scale. The MHC results remained statistically significant on multivariate regression modelling when covariates were accounted for. Physical health composite (PHC) scores were higher in those that meditated; however, the differences were probably not clinically significant. Among those who meditated, fewer screened positive for depression, but there was no relationship with fatigue or relapse rate. Those with worsened disability levels were more likely to meditate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study reveals a significant association between meditation, lower risk of depression, and improved HRQOL in people with MS.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Adam B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.affiliation: Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia.
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hadgkiss
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia ; Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia.
authors.forename: Tracey J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Weiland
authors.affiliation: Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia.
authors.forename: Claudia H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Marck
authors.affiliation: Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia.
authors.forename: Dania M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, VIC 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Naresh G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia ; Medical School, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA 6959, Australia.
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jelinek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D055815:Young Adult