The Effect of Orem’s Self Care Model on Physical Quality Of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system, which has debilitative effects on the quality of life of the patients due to its various physical complications. The present study aimed to assess the effects of using Orem’s self-care model on the physical dimensions of quality of life in MS patients. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 74 patients with MS referring to the MS Association in Hamedan, Iran in 2014. The patients were selected via convenience sampling and randomly allocated to two groups of intervention and control. Data were collected using MSPHQOL-54 in the study groups. In addition, a training program was implemented for 2-4 sessions based on the extracted needs of the patients in the intervention group. After two months of the self-care program in the intervention group, MSPHQOL-54 was completed again by the two groups. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square, paired t-test, and independent t-test. Mean quality of life in all the physical dimensions was 57.2±20.5 in the intervention group before the training program, which significantly increased to 67.5±15.3 (P=0.001). However, no such difference was observed in the control group. According to the results, Orem’s self-care model could improve the physical dimensions of quality of life in MS patients. Therefore, it is recommended that this model be applied to enhance the physical dimensions of quality of life in these patients.