Effects of stress management training based on cognitive-behavioral therapy on chronic fatigue and coping strategies in multiple sclerosis patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system where the patient has several problems including fatigue and interactional problems. The present study aimed to assess the effects of stress management training based on cognitive-behavioral therapy on chronic fatigue and coping strategies in MS patients. This case-control field study was conducted on 36 MS patients. The population included all MS patients at Ahvaz MS Society. The patients took Fatigue of Krupp Scale، and those with cut-off-point score (above 36) were selected and randomly allocated to case and control groups (each group including 18 persons). Both groups completed Endler and Parker Coping Style Questionnaire as pre-test. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0. 87 as measured by Cronbach''s alpha. The case group received 10 sessions of stress management group therapy، while the control group had no intervention. The data was analyzed by covariance analysis at the significant level p<0. 05 in SPSS (version 16). Mean of chronic fatigue and coping strategies of problem-oriented، emotion-oriented، and social diversion was not significantly different in both groups before the intervention. However، the overall mean of chronic fatigue in the case group decreased from 46. 75±8. 19 to 31. 75±9. 5 (p<0. 001); those of their coping strategies of problem-oriented and social diversion increased from 51. 68±14. 14 to 67. 25±6. 19 (p<0. 001) and from 22. 12±4. 93 to 27. 50±3. 01 (p<0. 001) respectively. Their emotional-oriented scores mean decreased from 52. 81±9. 60 to 37. 25±6. 48 (p<0. 001)، yet their scores mean decrease of avoidance-oriented coping was not significant. Stress management training based on cognitive-behavioral therapy reduced fatigue and improved coping skills in MS patients. It cannot، however، modify their avoidance-oriented coping in the short run. They need longer-term training programs so that they can better interact with family and society and refrain from avoidance.