The Effect of Distance Empowerment Program on Self-efficacy Among Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common nontraumatic debilitating disease in young adults. This study aimed to determine the effect of distance empowerment programs on self-efficacy in MS patients. METHODS: Sixty-four MS patients participated in this quasi-experimental study. Patients were first entered into the study using the convenience sampling method and then were randomly allocated to control (32) and intervention (32) groups. The intervention group underwent a distance empowerment program (via WhatsApp, Telegram, and blog) and weekly telephone follow-up for 2 months. Self-efficacy was evaluated before, and immediately after, the empowerment program using the MS Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS : Data from 59 participants were analyzed. Before implementation of the empowerment program, the mean scores of self-efficacy in the intervention and control groups were not significantly different. After implementing the empowerment program, the mean score of self-efficacy in the intervention group was higher than that of the control group ( P < .05). CONCLUSION : Distance empowerment has an effect on the self-efficacy of patients with MS and may lead to an increase in self-efficacy scores after implementing an empowerment program.