Effectiveness of ACT in Pain Control in Multiple Sclerotic Women

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic diseases of the central nervous system. This disease can deeply affect patient’s occupational and social activities. The goal of this psychological intervention is to help these people cope up correctly and efficiently with the challenges posed by this disease.

Objectives: This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in pain control in a group of women with multiple sclerosis.

Materials & Methods: The present controlled semi-experimental study was conducted on a statistical population of women with MS in the Sari MS society during 2014-2015. Eighteen subjects were selected using the convenience sampling and assigned to either control or the experimental group. The experimental group was treated by ACT for 8 weeks (weekly 2 hours). Before the treatment, just after the treatment completion and, after one and a half months of the follow-up period, the assessment was performed. Experimental group data collection tools comprised of the Nicholas’ Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). Statistical covariance tests were used to analyze the results in the SPSS software version 16.

Results: Pain control received the higher scores in the experimental group as compared to the controls (P<0.001, F(1, 11)=26.53). This finding remained true during the follow-up period (P<0.001, F(1, 11)=56.55).

Conclusion: The results confirmed the effectiveness of ACT in the pain control in women with MS, and this would help to broaden the horizon of the clinical interventions.