Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive and Behavioral Training based on Fatigue and Cognitive Self-Compassion on the Dimensions of Fatigue and Self-Criticism in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Considering the chronicity and long duration of multiple sclerosis and the importance of self-criticism and fatigue in these patients, the need to pay attention to the use of cognitive behavioral therapy and its third generation in these patients has been neglected. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive and behavioral training based on fatigue and cognitive self-compassion on the dimensions of fatigue and self-criticism in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a post-test and follow-up design (2 months). Subjects with an age range of 20-40 years and with a scale of physical disability (EDSS) one to 5.5 and targeted sampling and voluntarily selected and randomly divided into experimental groups and evidence of division Were. Both groups answered the fatigue Impact scale (1994), Thompson & Zuroff (2004) in the pre-test-post-test and 2-month follow-up. The collected data were analyzed using mixed analysis of covariance with repeated measures.

The results of analysis of covariance mixed with repeated measures showed that cognitive and behavioral training based on fatigue and cognitive self-compassion are effective on the dimensions of fatigue and self-criticism in patients with multiple sclerosis. Also, the effects of the intervention were maintained after 2 months of follow-up on the reduction of fatigue and self-critical scores.

Based on the results of this study, cognitive-behavioral training based on fatigue and cognitive self-compassion can be used along with drug interventions to reduce fatigue and self-criticism of multiple sclerosis patients in medical centers.