Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management Training (CBSM) on Reducing Stress Symptoms of Women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system with unknown causes. Because of unpredictable nature, most patients have poor resilience. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management Training on increasing the resilience of women with Multiple Sclerosis. Methods: The design of this study was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and control group. The study population consisted of all female MS Patients who are member of Tehran MS Associations in 2017. The sample consisted of 30 cases, who were selected by volunteer sampling method and were placed by matching method in experimental and control groups. For collecting the data, Conner –Davidson Resilience scale designed in 2003 was used. The experimental group were trained by cognitive-behavioral stress management approach designed by Antoni, Ironson and Schneider in 2007. The control group received no intervention. The duration of the treatment sessions consisted of 8 sessions of 90 minutes, performed as a group once a week. Data were analyzed by repeated measurement analysis. Results: Based on the results of the repeated measurement Analysis test, there was significant difference between the pre-test scores with post- test and follow up scores (P<0.001). Conclusion: Trainings presented in form of stress management in cognitive-behavioral approach with improving the resilience components which contains control, commitment & challenge with problems, have significant positive effects on increasing the resiliency of women with MS, therefore it can be used as a useful intervention to increase health and resilience of women with MS by therapists & counselors.