@article{3034335,
    title = "Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention for Multiple Sclerosis Patients:
A Quasi-Experimental Pragmatic Trial",
    author = "Panagopoulou, Zacharo and Artemiadis, Artemios K. and Chrousos, George and P. and Darviri, Christina and Anagnostouli, Maria C.",
    journal = "Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology (before 2009)",
    year = "2022",
    volume = "37",
    number = "1",
    pages = "125-132",
    publisher = "Oxford University Press",
    issn = "0887-6177",
    doi = "10.1093/arclin/acab044",
    keywords = "Stress; Quasi-experimental; Multiple sclerosis; Intervention; Fatigue;
Cognitive function",
    abstract = "Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the
central nervous system affecting patients' well-being and quality of
life. Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention (PSAI) is a novel
non-pharmaceutical intervention with significant benefits both in MS and
other chronic diseases. In this study, the longstanding effectiveness of
PSAI was investigated.
Method: This was a two-arm quasi-experimental pragmatic trial in
relapsing-remitting MS patients (23 in the PSAI and 21 in the control
group). PSAI patients received an 8-week training period and then they
performed PSAI at home for another 16 weeks. Assessments took place at
baseline, 8 weeks, and 24 weeks. These included cognition, fatigue,
perceived stress, and hair cortisol.
Results: Significant group x time interactions favoring PSAI were found
during the first 8-week period for information processing speed,
fatigue, and perceived stress. However, only verbal memory was found to
be significantly improved in the PSAI group during the 24-week follow-up
period. There were no significant group x time differences with respect
to hair cortisol. No side effects were noted and compliance was
excellent.
Conclusions: PSAI was mostly effective during the first 8-week training
period. Its benefits worn out during the non-training period, albeit we
observed a delayed significant improvement of verbal memory. Our
findings will help to further refine the technique, either by extending
the training period and/or by including booster sessions, throughout the
PSAI treatment. This study provided Class III evidence for PSAI."
}