Development of a Neuropsychological Intervention Package for Multiple Sclerosis (M.S) and Comparison of the Effectiveness of Neuropsychological Intervention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Pain Catastrophizing in Patients with Multiple Scler

Authors

    Maryam Shaygan Nik Ph.D Student in Health Psychology, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.
    Hasan Rezaei Jamalooei * Associate Professor, Department of psychology, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, [email protected]
    Hamidreza NikYar Assistant professor, Clinical Research Development Center, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.
    Ahmad Sobhani Assistant professor, Clinical Research Development Center, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.ijecs.6.3.18

Keywords:

Multiple Sclerosis, Pain Catastrophizing, Neuropsychological Approach, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of two therapeutic interventions based on a neuropsychological approach and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in reducing pain catastrophizing in MS patients. Methods and Materials: The research employed a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) design, with the study population consisting of MS patients attending healthcare centers in Isfahan in 2023-2024. From this population, 45 individuals were randomly selected and assigned to three equal groups: experimental group 1 (15 participants), experimental group 2 (15 participants), and a control group (15 participants). The first group received treatment based on the neuropsychological approach, while the second group underwent ACT. Data collection tools included the Pain Catastrophizing Questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire, and data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance. Findings: The results indicated that both therapeutic interventions led to a significant reduction in pain catastrophizing in MS patients. The F-values for the magnification and rumination variables in the experimental groups were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that both interventions can effectively reduce pain catastrophizing and may be considered effective treatment approaches.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Benedict, R. H., DeLuca, J., Enzinger, C., Geurts, J. J., Krupp, L. B., & Rao, S. M. (2017). Neuropsychology of multiple sclerosis: looking back and moving forward. J Int Neuropsychol Soc, 23(9-10), 832-842. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617717000959 das Nair, R., Martin, K. J., & Lincoln, N. B. (2016). Memory rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev(3), CD008754. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008754.pub3 Dehghani, A. (2024). Investigating the Association Between Spiritual Well-Being and Psychological Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study. Neuropsychiatria I Neuropsychologia. https://doi.org/10.5114/nan.2024.136181 Delshad, A., & Kazemi, A. S. (2023). The effectiveness of Captain Log cognitive rehabilitation software on cognitive flexibility in patients with multiple sclerosis in Tehran. https://doi.org/10.61186/iau.33.4.381 DiGiuseppe, G., Blair, M., & Morrow, S. A. (2018). Prevalence of cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Int J MS Care, 20(4), 153-157. https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2017-029 Fahy, A. (2024). Anxiety in People With Multiple Sclerosis During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Survey. Rehabilitation Psychology, 69(2), 118-128. https://doi.org/10.1037/rep0000528 Feinstein, A. B., Sturgeon, J. A., Darnall, B. D., Dunn, A. L., Rico, T., Kao, M. C., & Bhandari, R. P. (2016). The effect of pain catastrophizing on outcomes: a developmental perspective across children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic pain. J Pain, 18(2), 144-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2016.10.009 Fenwick, M. E., Kubas, H. A., Witzke, J. W., Fitzer, K. R., Miller, D. C., Maricle, D. E., Harrison, G. L., Macoun, S. J., & Hale, J. B. (2016). Neuropsychological profiles of written expression learning disabilities determined by concordancediscordance model criteria. Appl Neuropsychol Child, 5(2), 83-96. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2014.993396 Fernández-Rodríguez, C., Coto-Lesmes, R., Martínez-Loredo, V., González-Fernández, S., & Cuesta, M. (2023). Is activation the active ingredient of transdiagnostic therapies? A randomized clinical trial of behavioral activation, acceptance and commitment therapy, and transdiagnostic cognitivebehavioral therapy for emotional disorders. Behav Modif, 47(1), 3-45. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455221083309 Fuso, S. F., Callegearo, D., Pompeias, S., & Bueno, O. F. (2010). Working memory impairment in multiple sclerosis relapsingremitting patients with episodic memory deficits. Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 68(2), 205-211. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2010000200010 Gloster, A. T. (2018). The link between stress, quality of life and psychological flexibility during an acceptance and commitment therapy self-help intervention. Int J Clin Health Psychol, 18(1), 60-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2017.09.002 Hayes, S. C., Levin, M. E., Plumb-Vilardaga, J., Villatte, J. L., & Pistorello, J. (2013). Acceptance and commitment therapy and contextual behavioral science: examining the progress of a distinctive model of behavioral and cognitive therapy. Behav Ther, 44(2), 111-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2009.08.002 Hooshmandi, R., Aljaberi, M. A., Hammadi, F., & Ma, J. (2024). The Impact of Interoceptive Awareness on Pain Catastrophizing and Illness Perception. Journal of Personality and Psychosomatic Research (JPPR), 2(2), 4-10. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jppr.2.2.2 Hunter, M. A., Coffman, B. A., Gasparovic, C., Calhoun, V. D., Trumbo, M. C., & Clark, V. P. (2015). Baseline effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on glutamatergic neurotransmission and large-scale network connectivity. Brain Res, 1594, 92-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2014.09.066 Jahangiri, F., Karimi, J., Rouzbahani, M., & Razani, M. (2023). Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy with compassion-focused approach on pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance in patients with multiple sclerosis. Armagh Danesh, 29(1), 0-0. https://doi.org/10.61186/armaghanj.29.1.1 Kiselica, A. M., Rojas, E., Bornovalova, M. A., & Dube, C. (2015). The nomological network of self-reported distress tolerance. Assessment, 22(6), 715-729. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191114559407 Lai, L., Liu, Y., McCracken, L. M., Li, Y., & Ren, Z. (2023). The efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain: a three-level meta-analysis and a trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials. Behav Res Ther, 165, 104308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2023.104308 Mikula, P., Nagyova, I., Vitkova, M., & Szilasiova, J. (2018). Management of multiple sclerosis: the role of coping selfefficacy and self-esteem. Psychol Health Med, 23(8), 964- 969. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2018.1437277 Namvar, M., Khorami, M., Norollahi, A., & Pournemat, M. (2020). Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction on anxiety and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis. Except Psychol, 10(39), 179-200. https://jpe.atu.ac.ir/article_12335.html Noormohamadi, F., Ashayeri, H., Afrooz, G. H., & Kamkari, K. (2019). Effectiveness of neurologic music intervention on psychological well-being in women with multiple sclerosis. Arch Rehabil, 20(1), 74-85. https://doi.org/10.32598/rj.20.1.74 Pakenham, K. I., & Landi, G. (2023). A pilot randomised control trial of an online acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) resilience training program for people with multiple sclerosis. Sclerosis, 1(1), 27-50. https://doi.org/10.3390/sclerosis1010005 Pelosi, L., Geesken, G. M., Holly, M., Hayward, M., & Blumhardt, L. D. (1997). Working memory impairment in early multiple sclerosis. Brain, 120(11), 2039-2058. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/120.11.2039 Pushkarev, G., Kuznetsov, V., Yaroslavskaya, E., & Bessonov, I. (2019). Social support for patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention. J Psychosom Res, 119, 74-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.02.011 Samadi, R., Haji Hossein Nejad, G., Hosseini Khah, A., Mosipour, N., & Rahimi, A. (2023). Development of a care guide for multiple sclerosis patients for physiotherapists. J Rehabil Med, 12(2), 346-365. https://doi.org/10.32598/SJRM.12.2.12 Sayed Alitabar, S. H., & Goli, F. (2023). The Interplay of Neuroticism and Self-Efficacy in Pain Catastrophizing: A Quantitative Analysis. Journal of Personality and Psychosomatic Research (JPPR), 1(2), 19-24. https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jppr/article/view/21 97 Shevil, E., & Finlayson, M. (2010). Pilot study of a cognitive intervention program for persons with multiple sclerosis. Health Educ Res, 25(1), 41-53. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyp037 Sullivan, M. J. L., Bishop, S. R., & Pivik, J. (1995). The pain catastrophizing scale: development and validation. Psychol Assess, 7(4), 524-532. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040- 3590.7.4.524 Thompson, A. J., Banwell, B. L., Barkhof, F., Carroll, W. M., Coetzee, T., Comi, G., Correale, J., Fazekas, F., Filippi, M., Freedman, M. S., Fujihara, K., Galetta, S. L., Hartung, H. P., Kappos, L., Lublin, F. D., Marrie, R. A., Miller, A. E., Miller, D. H., Montalban, X., . . . Cohen, J. A. (2018). Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: 2017 revisions of the McDonald criteria. Lancet Neurol, 17(2), 162-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(17)30470-2 Vanotti, S., & Caceres, F. J. (2017). Cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders among MS patients from Latin America. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin, 3(3), 2055217317717508. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055217317717508

Downloads

Published

2025-07-10

Submitted

2024-12-06

Revised

2025-01-02

Accepted

2025-01-21

How to Cite

Shaygan Nik, M., Rezaei Jamalooei, H., NikYar, H., & Sobhani, A. (2025). Development of a Neuropsychological Intervention Package for Multiple Sclerosis (M.S) and Comparison of the Effectiveness of Neuropsychological Intervention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Pain Catastrophizing in Patients with Multiple Scler. International Journal of Education and Cognitive Sciences, 6(3), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.ijecs.6.3.18

Similar Articles

1-10 of 157

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.