The Effect of Cognitive-Behavior Stress Management Treatment on Quality of Life and Depression in Female Multiple Sclerosis Patients

There exists a close relationship between the quality of life and health, and the chronic diseases have negative effects in this respect. Researchers have shown the positive impact of stress management on reducing psychological and physical disorders. The goal of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavior stress management treatment on the quality of life and depression in female Multiple Sclerosis Patients. A pretest – post-test design with control group was used in this study. The population included the female MS patients who resided in Arak in the year 1389/2010. A sample of 40 patients was randomly selected and assigned into control and experimental groups. All the participants responded to a 24 item Life Style Questionnaire as well as to Beck Depression inventory (BDI) which comprised 21 items. Then, the experimental group participated in a 10-session cognitive-behavioral stress management treatment. After the treatment program, the questionnaires were submitted to both groups. The results of MONOVA analysis revealed that the life style of patients considerably increased whereas their depression significantly reduced. The cognitive-behavioral stress management treatment program can effectively reduce the depression of the female MS patients. Meanwhile, these people can enjoy a better life while exposed to such treatment program. This can play the role of supplement for pharmacological treatment.