The Effectiveness of Stress Control Training on the Quality of Life of Female Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

 Multiple sclerosis is one of the most important diseases that change a person's life, especially at a young age, causing a sharp drop in the quality of life and leading to disability. This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of stress control training on the quality of life of female patients with multiple sclerosis.

 The current research is semi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test, and control group in 2017. Sixty female patients with multiple sclerosis were selected as available and randomly divided into two intervention and control groups. The research tool was the quality of life questionnaire of multiple sclerosis patients. The intervention group participated in 10 stress control training sessions for 2 hours. The control group did not receive training. Data were analyzed using independent-t and paired-t statistical tests.

 The average score of quality of life before the intervention in the intervention group and the control group had no statistically significant difference (p=0.672). In the post-test, the average score of quality of life, physical health, and mental health in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001). The independent t-test results showed a significant difference between the average scores of the quality of life and its dimensions before and after the intervention between the intervention and control groups (p<0.001).

 A stress control management program can help MS patients to manage their disease and problems related to their lives. Since this educational program is efficient and low-cost, it can be included in health interventions for MS patients.