Clinical Trial Shows Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Medication Improve Fatigue Symptoms in People with MS

A recent study supported by the National MS Society found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the medication modafinil, and their combination effectively reduce fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The 12-week trial involved 336 participants who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CBT delivered by phone, modafinil, or a combination of both. All groups experienced significant fatigue reduction, with CBT showing sustained benefits up to 12 weeks post-treatment. The study also noted that individuals with poor sleep habits responded better to CBT, while those with good sleep habits had better outcomes with modafinil.