فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) occurs with a variety of physical and psychologicalsymptoms, yet there is not a conclusive cure for this disease. Complementary medicine is acurrent treatment which seems is effective in relieving symptoms of patients with MS. Therefore,this study is aimed to determine and compare the effects of reflexology and relaxation on anxiety,stress, and depression in women with MS. Subjects and Methods: This study is a randomizedclinical trial that is done on 75 women with MS referred to MS Clinic of Kashani Hospital. Aftersimple non random sampling, participants were randomly assigned by minimization method tothree groups: reflexology, relaxation and control (25 patients in each group). In the experimentalgroups were performed reflexology and relaxation interventions within 4 weeks, twice a week for40 min and the control group were received only routine treatment as directed by a doctor. Datawere collected through depression anxiety and stress scale questionnaire, before, immediatelyafter and 2 months after interventions in all three groups. Chi‑square, Kruskal–Wallis, repeatedmeasures analysis of variance and one‑way analysis of variance and least significant differencepost hoc test via SPSS version 18 were used to analyze the data (P < 0.05) was considered assignificant level. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in the severity of anxiety,stress and depression during the different times in the reflexology and relaxation groups ascompared with the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that reflexologyand relaxation in relieving anxiety, stress and depression are effective in women with MS. Hence,these two methods, as effective techniques, can be recommended.