Evaluation the effect of progressive muscle relaxation technique on fatigue and daily living activities in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Aim: This is a Quasi-experimental study wich was carried out in order to determine the effects of applying progressive muscle relaxation on fatigue and daily living activity of MS patients. Background: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and adversely affects their daily living activities. Methods: 80 MS Patients were selected then conducted in two group (40 experiments and 40 contorol). Data collector tools included: demographic questionnaire, fatigue severity scale and activity of daily living questionnaire which completed four times by two group (before̦ Third week, sixth and ninth after study), self-report checklists which completed only by experimental group. PMRT performed once a day for 8 week by experimental group. During study no intervention was done for control group. Results: repeated measures ANOVA showed that there is significant difference in mean score of fatigue between two group in 4 times (P<0/05). Also, the results showed that with progressive muscle relaxation at 4 times, daily activities in ADL and IADL sections were significantly increased (P<0/05) but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0/05). however, clinically significant differences were observed. Conclusions: Acording to these findingș applying PMRT decreased patient´s fatigue and improve independence in daily living activities. This study supports the effect of PMRT on fatigue and activities of daily living in patients with MS, and it is recommended that further studies be conducted on this subject in the future. Keywords: daily living activity, fatigue, progressive muscle relaxation technique, multiple sclerosis.