title: Effects of a cognitive-behavioral program for women with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thirty-seven adult women with MS participated in a group-based intervention program titled "Beyond MS," which was led by master's-prepared psychiatric nurses. For participants, the program involved reading a manual and meeting for five weekly group sessions. Perceived health competence, coping behaviors, psychological well-being, quality of life, and fatigue were measured at four time periods: 5 weeks before the beginning of the intervention, immediately before the intervention, at the end of the 5-week intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up. There were significant improvements in the participants' perceived health competence (p < .01), indices of adaptive and maladaptive coping (p < .04), and most measures of psychological well-being (p < .05) from pre- to postintervention. The positive changes brought about by this relatively brief intervention program were maintained during the 6-month follow-up period. This cognitive-behavioral intervention has also been used effectively in the rheumatoid arthritis population and may be adaptable to benefit individuals with other chronic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, 461 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37240-0008, USA. vaughn.sinclair@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Vaughn G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scroggie
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D018417:Th1 Cells