The Effectiveness of Group Psychological Training on the Depression of family caregivers Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Clinical Trials

Lack of adequate training of primary caregivers of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is the major factor in causing of their depression. Therefore, the researcher tried to identify the The Effectiveness of Group Psychological Training on the Depression of family caregivers MS patients.

In this study, the Group Psychological Training program was developed and implemented as a clinical trial with a one-month follow-up. In the design phase, the program draft was first prepared using nursing texts on the required care measures and the role of families in their implementation, then using the RAM technique in terms of concept, usefulness, relevance and applicability of the content. In the implementation phase, the subjects were easily selected (100 people) and randomly placed in the test group (50 people) and the control group (50 people). The program was conducted in 7 sessions, 90 minutes during 7 weeks (1 session per week) for the experimental group and at the end a CD with the theme of relaxation techniques, anger and stress control and educational booklet of the contents of the sessions were given them. The control group also participated in two group sessions to express their memories and were given a training booklet and a CD. A two-part questionnaire was used for data collection. The first included information about demographic, familial and therapeutic characteristics of the patient and caregiver and the second part was the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software and statistical tests of chi-square, independent t-test and variance analysis test with repeated measurements.

The results showed that there was a significant decrease in the mean score of depression in the experimental group as compared to the control group immediately and one month after the intervention. The results of ANOVA with repeated observations also showed a significant decrease in the mean depression score in the experimental group (P<0.001).

Given the effectiveness of psychotherapy training in preventing depression and recovery in families with multiple sclerosis, this program is introduced to the treatment team.