Narges Ensan, Isaac Rahimian Boogar, Siavash Talepasand, Fariborz Estilaee,
Volume 22, Issue 5 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease that can change individuals' lifestyle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on functional disability of patients with MS.
Methods & Materials The is an experimental study with pre-test/post-test/follow up design using control group. The study population consisted of all male and female patients with MS living in Neyshabur county, Iran. Of these, 47 were selected using a convenience sampling technique and randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (n=22) and control (n=25). The intervention group received MBSR therapy for 8 sessions, while the control group received no intervention. The follow-up was performed after one month. Subjects’ functional disability was measured by using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS v.21 software usingrepeated measurements Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
Ethical Considerations This study obtained its ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences (code: IR. NUMS.REC.1397.004)
Results The results of univariate ANOVA showed the significant effect of time and the interaction effect of time and group on functional disability of samples. The results of between-group ANOVA a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in functional disability (p <0.05). Pairwise comparison of the interaction effect of time and group showed a significant difference between the pre-test, post-test and follow-up scores (P = 0.001), but no significant difference was reported between the post-test and follow-up scores.
Conclusion The MBSR program could reduce the functional disability in patients with MS due to ease of treatment, faster patient education, and the short duration of intervention sessions.
Ahmad Ansarifar, Isaac Rahimian-Boogar, Siavash Talepasand,
Volume 27, Issue 6 (1-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Sociodemographic factors and perceived anxiety have a significant impact on the development of somatic symptom disorder. This study aimed to investigate the role of demographic characteristics, social isolation, and perceived anxiety in predicting somatic symptom disorder.
Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive study among adults aged 18 to 60 in Tehran in 2023, 437 participants were selected based on convenience sampling. The participants completed the Somatic Symptom Disorder Questionnaire (SSEQ), Social Isolation Questionnaire, and Perceived Anxiety Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis.
Results: The results indicated that social isolation and perceived anxiety have a positive and significant correlation with somatic symptoms disorder (P < 0.01). There was no correlation between demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, education, and employment status) and somatic symptoms (P <0.01). Multiple correlation and regression coefficients among research variables were statistically significant (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: The examined model was almost able to predict 22% of the somatic symptoms of the disorder. The results have implications for formulating interventions based on social isolation and perceived anxiety in controlling somatic symptoms. It is essential to pay attention to social isolation and perceived anxiety in the formulation and implementation of interventions and educational programs for the prevention and improvement of somatic symptom disorder.
