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Effect of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Perceived Stress and Resilience in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Zahra Hasanpanah, Jamileh Mohtashami, Abolfazl Rahgoi, Fatemeh Behzadi

Knowledge of Nursing Journal June 1, 2023 DOI: 10.61186/knjournal.1.1.26 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study with a control group Peer reviewed
Sample size 30
Population Patients with multiple sclerosis referred to the Iranian MS Association in 2020
Duration Eight 1-hour sessions
Measures Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale
Topics Meditation
Key findings Mindfulness-based therapy significantly improved perceived stress and resilience in patients with multiple sclerosis, with the authors reporting a significant difference between pre-test and post-test mean scores (P=0.001). The authors conclude that mindfulness-based stress reduction methods may be recommended to reduce psychological problems in this population.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the third leading cause of neurological disabilities.It can profoundly affect daily activities of patients.People with chronic illnesses have different physiological, psychological, and emotional needs, and satisfying such needs is part of their treatment.This study aimed to assess the effect of mindfulness-based therapy on perceived stress and resilience in patients with MS. Materials and Methods:This quasi-experimental study had a pre-test/post-test design with a control group.The study population comprised of MS patients referred to the Iranian MS Association in 2020.Thirty eligible patients were selected and randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups.The intervention group received mindfulness therapy through eight 1-hour sessions according to the protocol by Segal et al (1995).Before and after the intervention, both groups filled out the Perceived Stress Cohen and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS 23 (P<0.05).Results: Mindfulness-based therapy positively and significantly affected the perceived stress and resilience of MS patients (P=0.001).Conclusion: According to the present results and the difference between the mean pre-test/post-test scores of perceived stress and resilience of MS patients, mindfulness-based stress reduction methods significantly improved the resilience and perceived stress in MS patients.Therefore, this treatment may be recommended to reduce the psychological problems of MS patients.

Comparable studies

Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) 2003 Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study
Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. 2008 Controlled laboratory experiment
Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. 2012 Two studies: correlational study and experimental study
Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence 2009 Experimental study
Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population 2006 Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition

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