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Effects of psychological group therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Tesar N.,
Baumhackl U.,
Kopp M.,
Günther V.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0404.2003.00077.x
Subject(s) - anxiety , vitality , coping (psychology) , group psychotherapy , multiple sclerosis , physical therapy , psychological therapy , clinical psychology , cognitive therapy , psychology , medicine , cognitive behavioral therapy , cognition , psychiatry , philosophy , theology
Objectives – The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a psychological therapy program used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and including cognitive/behavioral strategies, relaxation training and physical exercise. Material and methods – The participants were 29 patients with MS recruited from an outpatient unit; 14 patients were assigned to the 7‐week psychological therapy group (one session per week), the remainder formed a control group. Before and immediately after the course of therapy and after a 2‐month follow‐up, the participants completed a series of questionnaires measuring factors such as depression, anxiety, coping and body image. Results – Compared with the control group the therapy group showed long‐term improvements in depressive stress coping style and a short‐term improvement in “vitality and body dynamics”. Conclusion – Further studies should investigate the differential effects of specific units of the therapy program and how the short‐term improvements in “vitality and body dynamics” could be maintained for longer periods.