Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based-Cognitive-Therapy and Solution-Focused Group Therapy on the Perception of Social Support and Interpersonal Relationships among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Control impairment, reduced functional autonomy, and motor disability caused by multiple sclerosis may lead to a reduction in the psychological well-being of these patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy and solution-focused group therapy on the perception of social support and interpersonal relationships among patients with multiple sclerosis in Tehran in 2018. This study was of semi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and two experimental and one control groups. The statistical population of the study included multiple sclerosis multiple sclerosis patients in Tehran, among whom 45 were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to two groups (15 participants each) and one control group (including 15 participants). Mental awareness-based-cognitive-behavioral therapy group and solution-focused group therapy were trained for 8 sessions of 90 minutes each and the control group remained on the list. Data were collected using Zimet social protection perception questionnaire and Griffin and Bartholomew interpersonal relationships. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19 and covariance analysis tests. Among participants, 21 (46.7%) were male and 24 (53.3%) were female. The mean (SD) score of family support in the treatment of mind awareness increased from 12.8 (3.1) to 19.1 (4.5), the friends support from 13.7 (2.8) to 18.6 (8.2) and others support from 14.7 (4.2) to 16.9 (3.1) after the intervention (P=0.001). In addition, in solution-focused group therapy, the family support increased from 12.5 (3.6) to 16 (3.2), the friends support from 11.9 (2.8) to 14.8 (2.4) and others support from 15.1 (2.5) to 15.7 (3.1); however, the difference was not significant. However, this reduction was greater in the treatment of the orbital solution. The mean (SD) score of anxiety in the treatment of mind awareness decreased from 34.8 (7.6) to 30.9(9.3), the affinity decreased from 35.2(6.1) to 32 (5.9) and dependency from 32.4(6.3) to 27.4 (6.7) after the intervention (P<0.05). Also, in solution-focused group therapy, the anxiety decreased from 36.4 (8.5) to 26.4 (8.7), the affinity from 35 (5.5) to 29.8(5.7) and dependency from 32.4 (4.1) to 25.6 (6.4) after the intervention (P<0.05). The study showed that both interventions used in this study improved the perception of social protection and interpersonal relationships among patients with multiple sclerosis, with the difference that intervention based on mindfulness based cognitive therapy had a greater impact on family and friends support and treatment of the solution group-based circuits also had a greater impact on the improvement of dependency among patients with multiple sclerosis