An Investigation into the Effectiveness of Strategy Training Program to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Depression for Improving Mental Health of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system and causes numerous psychological and social problems that significantly impair the patients’ quality of life. The most common physical and mental symptoms in this disease are anxiety, depression, stress, fatigue and pain. The present study examines the effectiveness of strategy training program to reduce anxiety and stress in order to improve mental health of patients with MS. ۱۹ participants with MS (ages ۲۷-۴۱) were selected using convenience sampling method.They regularly received specified training in a period of ۳ months. Before and after receiving the training, they completed the DASS and a designed questionnaire.The DASS questionnaire contains ۲۱ items on a likert scale and is used as a tool based on the self-report method to measure the symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress. The findings showed that the comparison of the mean scores indicates the positive effects of training for improving mental health and self-confidence of patients with MS. Therefore, constructive trainings can create positive changes in patients’ living environment, reduce their anxiety and stress, and significantly improve their mental health and self-confidence. In addition, their life expectancy increases by continuing these effective trainings and strategies.

Keywords:

multiple sclerosis , anxiety and stress , mental health , mental and social problems