The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Group Therapy in Emotion Regulation Among Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

Background: In addition to physical issues, multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience many psychological problems that make their living conditions difficult. Objectives: This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group therapy in emotion regulation among MS patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study followed a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all patients with MS who were referred to Sistan and Baluchestan MS Community from December 2017 to February 2018. Among these people, 30 patients were selected as the sample using the convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to a control group and an experimental group (each including 15 patients). Eight 60-minute sessions of MBSR therapy were conducted on the experimental group. A post-test was carried out after completing all these sessions, and a follow-up was performed a month later. The Self-Regulation Inventory developed by Ibanez et al. was used as the data collection tool. The analysis of covariance was used to analyze the obtained data. Results: The results showed that MBSR group therapy was effective in improving emotion regulation in patients with MS in the post-test and follow-up (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Authorities are suggested employing MBSR group therapy to boost emotion regulation among patients with chronic diseases.