The Effectiveness of Psycho-educational Intervention on the Quality of Life and Self-efficacy of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive neurological disease of the central nervous system. Essential features of the MS are symptoms such as defects in mobility¡ visual deficits¡ cognitive impairments¡ fatigue and decreased energy levels that threaten people''s quality of life and self-efficacy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a psycho-educational intervention on quality of life and self-efficacy in patients with MS disease. Method of the present study was quasi-experimental and design was Pre-Posttest with control group. Twenty four patients diagnosed with definite MS were assigned in two groups (12 experimental¡ 12 control). All participants were asked to complete the Quality of Life Scale (SF-16) and the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale (MSSE). As the intervention program¡ the experimental group took part in a 8-session (150 minutes for each session) of weekly psycho-educational program¡ plus one day mindfulness exercise. The control group continues the medical treatment only. Both groups were asked to complete the questionnaires following the intervention. The analyses of the data revealed that the psycho-educational intervention improved the quality of life and self-efficacy in the experimental group. It can be concluded that the results of the present study provide preliminary evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of the psycho-educational program for improving quality of life and self- efficacy in patients with MS.