Helen Croxon is a member of the Beds and Northants MS Therapy Centre and is a student at De Montfont University. As part of her Masters degree, she is carrying out some research into the benefits of mindfulness in MS and needs your help. She has kindly laid everything out below. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Helen direct.

What if something free, simple and readily available could help you to manage your MS?

A review of recent research shows there is ‘evidence to suggest that mind-body therapies are effective for treating common MS symptoms, including fatigue, anxiety, depression…and quality of life.’ (Senders, 2012). 

Meanwhile, research into the Headspace app has found that just 10 days of Headspace reduced stress by 14%, reduced irritability by 27% and increased self-compassion, positivity and well-being.*

I am looking for volunteers to take part in a research project to find out whether taking part in mindfulness sessions on the Headspace app could be beneficial for adults with MS. It might help to manage stress, anxiety, depression or fatigue and could even have a positive effect on other symptoms.

• Could you commit to doing a free ten-minute meditation every day for 10 days with a 10-minute online survey before and after? 
• Would you be willing to take part in an online interview if invited?

To take part you will need to have a confirmed diagnosis of MS and be aged 18 or over. You will also need an internet-enabled smartphone or tablet to install the app.

Your answers could help other people with MS who are looking for ways to manage their own condition and will teach you some useful techniques as well. It will also help me to complete my MA in Health and Community Development!

If you are interested, please click on this link for more information and to get started.

If you would like further information, please email Helen Croxon on P2508772@mydmu.ac.uk.

The government has recently launched a campaign to get everyone to be as healthy as they can be. A big part of this is diet. But for people with MS is following a special diet beneficial? 

This is quite a controversial area. Some people swear by the diet they follow or supplements that they take but others who follow the exact same diet may have no benefits or may have unwanted side-effects. Like with most things in the MS world, different things benefit different people. 

Both the MS Society and the MS Trust agree that diet is a controversial topic and this is largely due to the lack of research due to its complexity. Below we have some of the different pieces of information that are available on the topic. As always we always recommend checking with your healthcare provider before making changes and always question where your information comes from.  

The National MS Society (that’s the American one) has produced information along with an informative short film: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Living-Well-With-MS/Diet-Exercise-Healthy-Behaviors/Diet-Nutrition 

The MS Society has produced a comprehensive Diet and Nutrition booklet covering many different areas: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/resources-and-publications/publications-search/diet-and-nutrition-booklet

The MS Trust interviews dietitian Dr. Conor Kerley who focuses on the immune system. He discusses red wine, coffee, iron and Vitamin D among other things: https://www.mstrust.org.uk/news/views-and-comments/diet-ask-expert

The MS Society summarises different special diets here: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/everyday-living/eating-and-drinking/special-diets-and-ms

Two interesting pieces of research this week to bring you:

New research, part-funded by the MS Society, shows that an existing drug for diabetes has the potential to boost energy production and protect nerves from damage in MS. New research suggests the diabetes drug pioglitazone could be another piece in the puzzle of stopping MS, through its ability to protect nerves from damage.

An article in The Independent says: 

‘Scientists say they may have discovered a new route to protect nerve cells in mice, which, if it can be replicated in humans, could prevent MS-related disability.

Researchers have already identified an existing, readily available diabetes drug, pioglitazone, which can trigger the natural process in mice cells and could become a potential treatment to halt the progression of the disease.’

(https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/multiple-sclerosis-ms-nerve-cells-treatment-research-a9653476.html) 

To read more from the MS Society here: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/research/latest-research/latest-research-news-and-blogs/diabetes-drug-gives-nerves-an-energy-boost-and-protects-them-from-damage

Second research piece for the week:

Why do symptoms get worse in the heat for some? New research shows the movement of sodium into nerves is partially responsible for why some people with MS find that their symptoms get worse when it’s hot. Read more from the MS Society here: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/research/latest-research/latest-research-news-and-blogs/new-research-sheds-light-on-why-ms-symptoms-get-worse-in-hot-weather

The coronavirus pandemic has generated an enormous amount of research, with over 40,000 papers published in the first six months of 2020.

The MS Trust has been sifting through the research up to the end of June to bring you a round-up of the studies that give an idea of what coronavirus means for people with MS.

Click here to read their summary here

Warning: most of the studies so far have reported data on single cases or on small numbers of people. They do give a general indication but we need to interpret them with caution.

This is a rapidly evolving topic. We will share any updates with you but if you want any further news first hand you can sign up for future issues of Research Update straight from the MS Trust: www.mstrust.org.uk/keepintouch.