The effect of distance empowerment program on the sense of coherence among multiple sclerosis patients: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis is the most common central nervous system disease that causes permanent disability in young adults. There is no definitive cure for multiple sclerosis, and symptom control is an important part of the treatment of multiple sclerosis patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of distance empowerment programs on the sense of coherence in multiple sclerosis patients. Methods: This research was conducted on 64 people with multiple sclerosis who were referred to Saveh MS Association in a semi-experimental method in 2020. The random block method divided the research subjects into two control groups (32 people) and intervention groups (32 people). The control group only received routine care from the MS Association, but the intervention group, in addition to the routine care, underwent a distance empowerment program (via WhatsApp, Telegram, and blog) and weekly telephone follow-up for two months. Patients’ sense of coherence in the intervention and control groups was evaluated before and immediately after the empowerment program using Antonovsky's Multiple Sclerosis sense of coherence scale and was analyzed using SPSS software version 23. Results: In total, the data from 59 samples were analyzed. The mean score of sense of coherence in the intervention group after the implementation of the empowerment program was 68.93 ± 9.99, which showed a statistically significant difference compared to before the intervention (P<0.001). Also, the mean score of the sense of coherence after the intervention was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.001). Conclusions: Distance empowerment affects the sense of coherence of patients with multiple sclerosis and has led to an increase in sense of coherence scores after the implementation of the empowerment program.