Affiliations: [a] Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran | [b] Faculty of Nursing, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Abhar, Iran | [c] Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [d] Centre for Research Development, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Mohammad Reza Mohebbi, MD, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Suite: 7.044, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. E-mail: Mohammad.R.Mohebbi@uth.tmc.edu
Abstract: Background:Fatigue is among the most common, yet least understood symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The debilitating symptoms of MS can have adverse effects on the sufferer's self-esteem. We report the effect of a short-term self-managed graded exercise programme on fatigue and self-esteem of patients with MS. Methods:Thirty-four (age range: 20–50, mean: 29.7 years; M:F 0.7:1.0) patients with MS who lived in Tehran and were not physically disabled entered the study. Self-esteem score was measured with the Persian translation of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Fatigue was evaluated with a visual analogue scale. The patients performed the self-managed techniques for 6 weeks. Self-esteem and fatigue were evaluated once more after the self-managed graded exercise programme. Results:On paired sample test, the self-esteem score of the patients was significantly different before (53.9) and after (68.1) the self-managed graded exercise programme (P<0.0001). The score of fatigue was also significantly different before (4.59) and after (5.76) the intervention (P<0.0001). Conclusions:This study can provide us with important insights into our understanding of the potential for developing self-care training as an alternative in rehabilitation of the patients with MS. Self-managed graded exercise programme may be considered as an alternative to direct nursing services for patients with MS.
