Effects of applying progressive muscle relaxation technique on depression, anxiety and stress of multiple sclerosis patients in Iran National MS Society

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic diseases of the Central Nervous System. Psychological disorders i.e depression, anxiety and stress are common in these patients. Muscle Relaxation Technique (PMRT) is a form of complementary therapy to combat psychological symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of applying Progressive Muscle Relaxation on depression, anxiety and stress in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

This is a quasi-experimental study. 66 multiple sclerosis patients were selected with no probability sampling according to specific criteria and assigned to experimental and control groups, (33 patients in each group), by random allocation. Data collector tools included: demographic questionnaire, DASS-21 for assessing depression, anxiety and stress, Self-reported checklists. PMR was performed for 63 sessions in the experimental group for a period of two months but no intervention was done in the control group. Scores for depression, anxiety and stress were checked before the treatment and at one month intervals for two months. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS software.

Student t-test showed that there was no significant difference between two groups in the mean scores of depression, anxiety and stress before the study but a significant difference was found in mean scores of anxiety and stress between two groups, one month and two months after intervention (P<0.05). ANOVA revealed no significant difference as regards to mean scores of depression and anxiety between two groups on all 3 repeated measurements,(P>0.05), but a significant difference in mean score of stress was shown between the two groups, (P<0.008).

PMR is practically feasible and is associated with decrease of depression, anxiety and stress in patients with MS as this technique can promote wellbeing in these patients it should be offered to all patients with multiple sclerosis.