The application of cognitive behavioral therapy on Leventhals’ model for improving quality of life in multiple-sclerosis patients

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a common disorder between neural and immune systems whose main psychological consequence is dropping the quality of life. The lack of a basic targeted theoretical model is the most common flaw of few pre trails. It has been shown; the components of Leventhals’ model (illness representations) are associated with chronic illness outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavior therapy on altering illness representations and improving the Quality of Life of the patients.

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial design, based on the inclusion criteria, 35 volunteer patients allocated to intervention and control groups. An extensive interventional Cognitive behavior therapy based package was conducted to intervention group in 10 weekly sessions. The control group stayed in waiting list and participated in 5 biweekly group meeting sessions. (IPQ-R) and (SF-36) scales were used to assess illness representations and quality of life.

Results: The results showed positive changes in 4 illness representation components of the patients including illness (identity, Consequences, coherence) and personal control. Associated positive changes emerged in emotional representations, physical and psychological domains of quality of life, too (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Mooney and Padeskeys’ theoretically based Cognitive- Behavior Therapy, is effective on improving patient’s quality of life via modulating emotional and illness representations. The findings of this study have some similarities with that of Goodman’s’ trial on systemic lupus erythematosus patients and Petries’ trail on cardiac patients.