Use of Audio Recordings of Self-Hypnosis and Meditation for Fatigue Management in Multiple Sclerosis

"Self-Hypnosis (HYP) teaches skills people with MS can use to effectively self-manage symptoms related to fatigue. Recordings are designed to help participants learn new strategies for influencing fatigue and its effects on their lives. The Self-Hypnosis recordings will start with a relaxation hypnotic induction (e.g., Notice how with each breath, you are feeling more and more relaxed …) followed by hypnotic suggestions (e.g., for experiencing more energy, improved sleep, more comfort or less pain, etc.). The goal of Self-Hypnosis is to change participant's experiences. To the extent that participants respond to the suggestions, participants would then get more control over their feelings of energy, sleep quality, and comfort levels."

"Mindfulness Meditation (MM) teaches skills people with MS can use to effectively self-manage symptoms related to fatigue. Recordings are designed to help participants learn about a new way to live with chronic fatigue and new ways to relate to how fatigue may influence their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The mindfulness techniques train the mind to non-judgmentally observe experience (e.g., symptoms of fatigue or pain, etc.) on a moment-to-moment basis, with an attitude of acceptance. The goal of Mindfulness Meditation is not to alter experiences, but rather to change how someone responds to their experiences. With practice, automatic, kneejerk reactions to symptoms are replaced with mindful choices about how best to respond to symptoms. This will lighten the load of living with the symptoms, moving participants in the valued direction of their choosing."