Effectiveness of a Self-Efficacy-Based Self-Care Educational Package on Empowerment, Satisfaction, and Treatment Adherence in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-efficacy-based self-care educational package on empowerment, satisfaction, and treatment adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis. This study used a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments including an experimental and a control group. The statistical population consisted of patients with multiple sclerosis attending specialized neurology centers in Tehran. A total of 30 participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). The experimental group participated in a structured self-efficacy-based self-care educational program consisting of 10 group sessions, while the control group received routine care only. Data were collected using the Expanded Disability Status Scale, the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire, and the satisfaction subscale of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS version 27. The results of covariance analysis showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in empowerment at posttest (F=10.673, P=0.003, η²=0.283) and follow-up (F=7.405, P=0.011, η²=0.215), satisfaction at posttest (F=15.098, P=0.001, η²=0.359) and follow-up (F=9.593, P=0.005, η²=0.262), and treatment adherence at posttest (F=7.908, P=0.009, η²=0.227) and follow-up (F=6.792, P=0.015, η²=0.201). Bonferroni test results confirmed that the experimental group showed significantly better outcomes compared to the control group (P<0.05). The findings indicate that the self-efficacy-based self-care educational package significantly improves empowerment, satisfaction, and treatment adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis and can be used as an effective intervention in patient care programs.