Self-help group and the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis - Pilot study

Abstract

Aim: The goal of the pilot study was to compare the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis in the Presov region with or without the support of a self-help group. Design: The character of this pilot study on patients with MS was related to the use of self-help groups and their impact on the assessment of the quality of life of the respondents, with the help of a questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Methods: The research was carried out in the Prešov region with the help of the standardized WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Ninety-one patients with MS participated in the pilot study (46 respondents attended a self-help group and 35 did not). Results: The groups, when compared, aided by the statistically evaluated WHOQOL-BREF domains, were found to show significant differences in their evaluation of quality of life in three domains: domain one: physical health; domain two: surviving; domain three: social relations. Better scores were achieved in these domains by those who attended a group. In the physical sphere, we noticed significant differences in sleep quality, and sexual satisfaction (p < 0.001), while in social and economic areas, there were significant differences in satisfaction with personal relationships (p < 0.001), and economic circumstances (p < 0.01), self-contentment (p < 0.01), and coping with negative feelings (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with multiple sclerosis can live normal lives provided they are supported by their families, friends, health care professionals, and self-help groups.

Quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review

“…Eliášová et al 124 found more improvement across several QoL domains in patients with MS after self-help group sessions than in patients who did not attend the self-help groups. Liu 125 detected an increase in physical and psychological QoL in women with MS after participating in a hope-based group therapy programme for 1 hour twice a week for 8 weeks.…”

“…A wide spectrum of interventions based on social support concentrated on reinforcement of the social network of patients with MS, for example, self-help groups, 124 hope-based group therapy, 125 supportive–expressive therapy 121 and social cognitive training with support partners. 122 123 All interventions aimed at helping people overcome MS barriers in daily living by strengthening their social support, improving some aspects of QoL.…”

Quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis

“…An interesting pilot study was conducted by Eliášová et al (2015), which aimed to compare the quality of life of patients with sclerosis multiplex in the Presov region in terms of the use of self-help group support. In their paper, they used the same WHOQOL-BREF tool to compare the two groups.…”

Perceived social support, mental health, and marital satisfaction in multiple sclerosis patients

“…In this context, social support perceived from various sources is very important to increase the social desirability of patients and to protect their mental health. According to the study conducted by Eliášová et al, 75 MS patients emphasize that they can lead a normal life as long as they are supported by their families, friends and society 75 . In our study, the total social support score perceived from family, friends and a significant other was 54.93 ( SD : 14.91), and it was observed that the group receiving the most support was from family (22.06 ± 4.64).…”