The Effectiveness of Yoga Therapy in Increasing the Self-Efficacy of Women With MS

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is chronic and debilitating neurological disease which occurs between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Myelin degradation is common in certain areas such as the optic nerve, brain stem, and cerebellum, which causes problems such as imbalance, inability to perform daily tasks, and ultimately affects and reduces the self-efficacy of the affected individuals. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of yoga therapy in increasing the self-efficacy of women with MS living in Rasht, Iran. Materials & Methods: This research is an applied experimental study with pre-test and post-test design with control group. The statistical population included MS female patients in Rasht City who were members of the MS Society up to 2016. A total of 30 people were selected randomly and divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group received yoga therapy for 3 months. Two groups completed the Multiple Sclerosis Self-efficacy Scale (MSSS) before and after the intervention. All data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance (group factor analyzed with two levels of yoga therapy in a group and control manner, and time factor analyzed with three levels of pre-test, post-test and follow-up) in SPSS V. 21. Results: Analysis of variance by measurement method and analysis of the variance of 2 in 3 mixture (group agent with two levels of yoga therapy in a group and control manner, and time factor with three levels of pre-test, post-test and follow-up) with a significant level of P<0.05 showed that yoga therapy is effective in increasing the self-efficacy of patients with MS. Conclusion: Yoga therapy is effective in increasing the self-efficacy of MS patients and can be used as a supplementary therapy to improve condition of these patients and increase their self-efficacy.