The Effect of Cognitive - Behavioral Stress Management Training on Anxiety, Depression and Cognitive Disorder of Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

The study aimed to examine the effect of cognitive–behavioral stress management training on anxiety، depression and cognitive disorder of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. The statistical society was all the patients with MS in Bandar Abbas city. In a semi-experimental design and using convenience sampling، 54 participants were selected among those patients and they were divided in two groups of intervention and control by random. Mental evaluation includes a clinical interview by two clinical psychologist، completion of depression، anxiety، stress (DASS) and cognitive impairment (MMSE) measures. Anxiety، depression and cognitive impairment measures were completed at three stages; prior to، six weeks later and two months after the intervening sessions. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and the analysis with a mixed ANOVA design. Findings showed significant decreases in the measures of depression and anxiety and in post-test and follow up after cognitive-behavioral intervention. In addition، the cognitive performance of patients showed significant improvement after intervention. The results indicated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management in reducing anxiety، depression and cognitive impairments in Multiple Sclerosis patients; therefore، serious attention to psychological treatments for these patients appears to be useful.