A mindfulness-based intervention for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) proved to be effective in the reduction of distress in chronic diseases. However, no study has yet investigated the effect of a MBI with a population of people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease, that is clinically characterized by progressive weakness leading to death by respiratory insufficiency within usually three years. The intellect and the personality usually remain unimpaired. The patients become relentlessly immobile, develop wasting and impaired speech, often leading to social isolation, with a high psychological sufferance. The MBI for ALS patients need to consider the particularities of ALS symptoms: for example, the loss of muscular functions and the difficulties in respiration, together with the subsequent emotional impairments. Based on the original MBCT and MBSR interventions, a modified MBI protocol, specific for the ALS population, together with preliminary results, will be presented.