The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Pain Severity, Perceived Stress, and Aggression in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)‎ based on pain severity, perceived stress, and aggression in patients with MS.

Methods: This experimental research was conducted with a pretest-posttest design. The study population included all patients with MS referred to health centers in Isfahan, Iran, in 2016. The study participants consisted of 60 patients selected using convenience sampling. The participants were divided into two groups (30 patients in the experimental group and 30 patients in the control group). The data collection tools included the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)‎ and Perceived Stress Scale (‎PSS)‎. Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results: The results showed that ACT was effective in reducing pain (F = 28.22; P < 0.01), perceived stress
(F = 5.16; P < 0.03), and aggression (F = 6.86; P < 0.01) in patients with MS, and these results were persistent in the follow-up period.

Conclusion: ACT is effective in reducing pain, perceived stress, and aggression in patients with MS.