The effect of self-regulatory program based on Leventhal's model on the illness perception and resilience of people with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract

Backgrounds: The study at hand seeks to examine the influence of a self-regulation program rooted in Leventhal's model on the illness perception and resilience of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). By exploring the impact of Leventhal's model-based interventions, healthcare professionals can enhance their ability to effectively address the challenges associated with this disease. In addition, this research endeavor can serve as a valuable resource for the development of nursing knowledge in the realm of MS patient care.

Materials and methods: This study was a semiexperimental two-group study. The statistical population of the study consisted of all patients with RRMS-type MS in Shahrekord city. Ninety patients were initially selected through convenience sampling and then randomly allocated into intervention and control groups (each with 45 participants) using the Random Allocation software. Before the intervention program was provided, the patients' perception of the disease and their resilience were assessed using the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), respectively.

Results: The intervention group had a mean age of 34.78 ± 4.27 years, whereas the control group had a mean age of 34.51 ± 4.43 years. After the Leventhal self-regulatory model, a statistically significant difference was observed in the mean scores of illness perception and the mean score of resilience between the intervention and control groups, both immediately and two months later, implying that the intervention group had a higher score in illness perception and the mean score of resilience (P value < 0.001).

Conclusion: Our study indicated that the Leventhal self-regulatory model had a significant positive effect on improving both illness perception and resilience in individuals with MS. Therefore, enhancing these factors among MS patients can have a tremendously positive impact on their psychological health, quality of life, and treatment adherence.