THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EMOTION REGULATION INTERVENTION ON THE INTENSITY OF FATIGUE AND EXISTENTIAL ANXIETY OF WOMEN WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)

Background & Aim: This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of the emotion regulation intervention on the intensity of fatigue and existential anxiety of women with multiple sclerosis. Materials & Methods: This study was a semi-experimental research with a pre-test and post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population included all female patients with MS in Urmia city in 2020. The sample size included 30 people (15 in the experimental and 15 people in the control groups) who were selected by convenience sampling method. For the experimental group, emotion regulation training was implemented, while the control group did not receive any training. The research tools included the fatigue intensity scale and the existential anxiety scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance tests with repeated measurements. Results: The results showed that emotion regulation intervention significantly affected the intensity of fatigue and existential anxiety in the post-test stages (P<0.001). In contrast, the effect of intervention in the follow-up phase was insignificant and did not persist (P>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this research provide useful information regarding the emotion regulation program and counselors and psychologists can use this intervention to improve the intensity of fatigue and existential anxiety in MS patients.