Comparison of the Effects of Peer-led and Nurse-led Self-management Programs on Self-management of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an incurable disease that requires proper self-management. This study aimed to compare the effects of peer-led and nurse-led self-management programs on the self-management of patients with MS.

This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 81 patients with MS, who were members of the comprehensive treatment center for special diseases affiliated to Birjand University of Medical Sciences in 2018, selected by convenience sampling. First, the participants completed the demographic characteristics form and the self-management scale, and then attended self-management programs held by an experienced nurse in four nurse-led groups and a peer in four peer-led groups. The intervention was carried out in the form of six sessions (1.5 hours) held once a week. Notably, the self-management scale was completed by all subjects immediately and two months after the intervention.

In this study, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of the total mean score of self-management and its dimensions before the intervention (P>0.05). However, the total score of self-management and its dimensions significantly increased in the two groups over time (P<0.001). According to the results, there was a significantly higher increase in the total self-management score (P<0.001), as well as health maintenance behaviors (P<0.001) and following/avoiding the treatment (P=0.02) scores in the nurse-led groups, compared to the peer-led groups.

According to the results of the study, using nurse-led self-management programs could improve self-management in patients with MS.