The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based-Cognitive-Therapy on the Symptoms of Disability and Psychological Well-Being among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, progressive and degenerative disease of the central nervous system myelin, which affects sensory-motor function and causes physical disability due to mental disorder in individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy on the symptoms of disability and psychological well-being among patients with multiple sclerosis.

The statistical population of the study included patients with multiple sclerosis in Tehran, among whom 60 were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to case and control groups. Mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy was trained for 8 sessions of 90 minutes and the control group remained on the list. The data were collected using Vickrey's physical health questionnaire and Ryff's psychological well-being, and were analyzed using SPSS software version 19 and covariance analysis tests.

Among participants, 27 (45%) were male and 33 (55%) were female. The mean (SD) of disability score in case group decreased from 3.9 (0.5) before intervention to 2.8 (1.3) after intervention and 3.0 (1.4) in the follow-up period, P=0.001; however, changes in control group were not significant. The mean (SD) of psychological well-being score increased from 45.5 (7.7) before intervention to 65.9 (6.4) after intervention and 67.7 (4.5) in follow-up period. Independence score increased from 9.9 (3.2) before intervention to 12.6 (2.5) after intervention and 12.7 (6.2) in follow-up period, P=0.02; mastery of the environment increased from 7.7 (1.5) before intervention to 9.7 (1) after intervention and 9.7 (1) in follow-up period, P=0.03; personal growth increased from 6.8 (2.1) before intervention to 8.5 (2.6) after intervention and 8.7 (2.5) in follow-up period, P=0.04; positive relationship with others increased from 7.6 (2.5) before intervention to 10.1 (2.1) after intervention and 10.8 (2.4) in follow-up period, P=0.04; goal-oriented life increased from 6.8 (2.7) before intervention to 11.7 (2) after intervention and 12.1 (2.6) in follow-up period, P=0.01; and acceptance increased from 6.9 (2.2) before intervention to 13.3 (3.6) after intervention and 13.1 (3.8) in follow up period, P=0.004.

The study showed that mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy can improve physical health and psychological well-being among patients with multiple sclerosis.