Impacts of Journaling on Anxiety and stress in Multiple Sclerosis patients

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic diseases of the Central Nervous System. Of it''s significant features is that most patients are young adults and it''s disabling nature. Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and stress are seen in MS patients considerably. Journaling; the nursing intervention; and written emotional expression، is one of cost-effective self helper methods that its efficacy has been studied on mental and physical health and survival in chronic patients. This method is not studied on MS patients yet. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of applying Journaling on Anxiety and Stress in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. This study has been done in '' Interventional and Quazi experimental '' and before-after method، on patients with (MS) coming to MS ASSOSIATION، in TEHRAN، IRAN within (2010). Data collector tools included: demographic questionnaire، and DASS-21 for assessing anxiety and stress. After getting written consents from patients، candidates were asked to complete first DASS-21 questionnaire and then write negative feelings and emotions about a traumatic event، 30 minutes a day for continuous 4 weeks. After 1 month they were wanted to complete another DASS-21 questionnaire. No intervention was done in the control group. Finally Data of questionnaire were analyzed by SPSS version 16. Anxiety and stress scores are higher than normal in MS patients. There was no significant difference between two groups in the mean scores of anxiety and stress before the study but a significant difference was found in mean scores of anxiety and stress between two groups، one month after intervention (Anxiety(p=0/001)، Stress (p=0/001). Journaling efficacy was not dependent in sex and age of patients. Journaling and written emotional expression is effective on anxiety and stress scores in patients with MS. As this technique can promote wellbeing in these patients it should be offered to all patients with multiple sclerosis.