A
mahtab rabiee; Fariba Zarani
Abstract
Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and unpredictable inflammatory disease impacting the central nervous system. Compared to adults, children with MS are known to have more relapses in the first six years after disease onset but show a better recovery. MS leads to different symptoms, such ...
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Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and unpredictable inflammatory disease impacting the central nervous system. Compared to adults, children with MS are known to have more relapses in the first six years after disease onset but show a better recovery. MS leads to different symptoms, such as sensory disturbances, mobility issues, and vision problems. The disabling nature of the disease cannot be reduced only to physical symptoms. Several symptoms such as cognitive impairment, fatigue, and psychological symptoms are common features of MS . The reviewed literature suggests that, despite the lower physical disability, children and adolescents diagnosed with MS are vulnerable to cognitive impairment even in the early stage of the disease. It has been hypothesized that, in pediatric age, cognitive decline may be considered a sensitive measure of MS severity. Overall, these manifestations may cause considerable functional impairment on daily and social activities, academic achievement, and quality of life that may require individualized rehabilitative treatment and extensive psychosocial care. Given the unpredictability of the disease course and its heterogeneous features, MS has a potential impact not only on patients’ cognitive and psychological development, but it may also lead to longstanding adaptive problems involving the entire family functioning. Considering that childhood and adolescence are critical periods for appropriate educational attainment, social and personal growth, an analysis of the impact of the disease on patients is essential for an appropriate management. Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system that typically begins before the age of 16, sometimes even before 10. Despite more frequent relapses in children, recovery tends to be better, and progression is slower. Nevertheless, due to earlier onset, the risk of disability accumulates at a younger age, impacting the child's development and life trajectory. Method: This study presents a systematic review of the psychological and lifestyle-related effects of POMS on children and adolescents. The aim is to synthesize findings from existing literature over the past 20 years (2003–2023) to highlight critical psychological areas affected by the disease and inform future interventions. The review also identifies the need for multidimensional, interdisciplinary approaches to improve mental health, quality of life, and disease management in young patients. A systematic literature review was conducted using both Persian and English databases and Keywords such as “Pediatric MS,” “POMS,” “Children with MS,” and “Psychological Factors in POMS” were used. Inclusion criteria required articles to be published between 2003 and 2023, written in Persian or English, and accessible in full text. Out of 88 initially identified studies, 30 were selected based on relevance and quality. Results: Analysis of the selected studies revealed that POMS significantly affects seven main psychological and behavioral domains such as cognitive functioning, academic performance, mood and qualitiy of life, fatigue and sleep, life style and physical activity, family dynamics and adherence to treatment. Children with POMS often display deficits in attention, memory, and executive functioning. Early cognitive reserve plays a crucial role in preserving long-term cognitive abilities. The disease correlates with declining academic outcomes, partly due to cognitive impairments and absences from school. High rates of depression and anxiety were observed. The psychological burden of POMS extends to families. Emotional support from families is crucial, yet overprotection or high parental involvement may negatively impact autonomy and psychosocial development. Successful disease management requires strong adherence to medical protocols, which is influenced by cognitive function, family support, and psychological state. Conclusion: POMS is a multifaceted condition that imposes psychological, cognitive, and social challenges on children and adolescents. Given the chronic nature of the disease and its developmental timing, early diagnosis, psychological screening, and comprehensive interventions are critical. The review underscores the necessity of multidisciplinary support systems, including psychological counseling, educational interventions, and family support programs. Future research should aim to design and evaluate tailored tools and therapies that address the unique psychological needs of pediatric MS patients and improve their quality of life.
A
Ali Afshari; ahmad esmali; said asadnia
Abstract
Objective: Multiple Sclerosis MS is one of the debilitating neurological disorders, which, in addition to neuro-motor disorders, manifests with symptoms such as anxiety, weakness, and reduced problem-solving ability, leading to numerous physical and mental disorders. The present study aimed to investigating ...
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Objective: Multiple Sclerosis MS is one of the debilitating neurological disorders, which, in addition to neuro-motor disorders, manifests with symptoms such as anxiety, weakness, and reduced problem-solving ability, leading to numerous physical and mental disorders. The present study aimed to investigating the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in reducing levels of anxiety and pathological worry among MS patients with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Method: The method of the current research was a semi-experimental design with a pre-test - post-test with a control group. The statistical population of the research includes 40 women diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and MS, who had referred to the neurology clinic, using structured diagnostic interview based on DSM5 and using available sampling, 20 individuals randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent cognitive behavioral intervention for 12 sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Pennsylvania Anxiety Questionnaire (1990) and Kettle Anxiety Scale (1957) administered before and after the intervention for both groups. Data analyzed using covariance analysis and SPSS version 26 software. Results: The findings of the research showed that cognitive behavioral therapy improved anxiety in the experimental group (P>0.001) and cognitive behavioral therapy caused 56% changes in anxiety variables. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy reduced the mean of pathological worry in the experimental group (P>0.001) and cognitive behavioral therapy caused 46% changes in the variable of pathological worry. Conclusion: According to the findings of the research, it can concluded that cognitive therapy for generalized anxiety disorder is the most effective treatment for reducing anxiety symptoms, and the combination of cognitive behavioral therapy is more effective than treatments that are used alone. This therapeutic approach helps people became aware of the thoughts and imaginations that cause anxiety and teaches them to express themselves and shed their incompatible cognitive responses, and finally it facilitates testing the reality of his hypotheses and applying methods of interpretation and labeling of emotional stimuli that activated when facing stressful situations in a relative manner
khadijeh yosefi; Majid Zargham Hajebi; shahrzad saravani
Abstract
Objective: MS is chronic and progressive in nature and affects various aspects of a person's life and affects his or her thoughts. The aim of this study was to predict the tendency to suicidal thoughts based on psychological hardiness and perceived Physical image in MS Patients. Method: In this descriptive ...
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Objective: MS is chronic and progressive in nature and affects various aspects of a person's life and affects his or her thoughts. The aim of this study was to predict the tendency to suicidal thoughts based on psychological hardiness and perceived Physical image in MS Patients. Method: In this descriptive correlational study, according to Morgan table and by available sampling method, 306 people were selected as a sample group from a statistical population of 1500 patients with multiple sclerosis in Qom in 1399. The instruments used were questionnaires of Suicide ideation (Beck, 1961), Psychological hardiness (Lang and Golet, 1981) and Body-Self relationships (Kash et al., 1987). Data analysis performed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression using SPSS22 software. Findings: The data showed that the tendency to suicidal thoughts was significantly correlated with psychological hardiness (r=-0.762, p<0.01) and perceived body image (r=-0.424, p<0.01) and also showed that psychological hardiness with beta -0.734 and perceived body image with beta -0.156 at the error level of 0.05 can predict the tendency to suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that the promotion of psychological hardiness in patients with MS allows access to a list of coping strategies against the pressures caused by events; improving body image perception leads to their problem-oriented approach to problems and maintaining their mental health.
Seyed mojtaba aghili; sepideh Afzali
Volume 5, Issue 20 , January 2017, , Pages 109-124
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of yoga breathing exercises on low pain, anxiety, psychological and physical well-being of women with MS in Golestan province, Gorgan. Method: This research was conducted by using experimental study with pretest-posttest design, ...
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Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of yoga breathing exercises on low pain, anxiety, psychological and physical well-being of women with MS in Golestan province, Gorgan. Method: This research was conducted by using experimental study with pretest-posttest design, employing control group. The statistical population consisted of women who were member of MS society of Gorgan. Among them, 30 were selected and randomly allocated into two equal experimental and control groups. Data-collecting instruments included the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (34sf), Speilberger State – Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) (40 sf), the Short Form Health Survey (sf 36) questionnaire, Affect Balance Scale (10sf) and Diener satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) (5sf). Data were analyzed via nonparametric tests for dependent samples (pretest and posttest and Mann-Whitney Test) and two-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test for independent samples (comparing experimental and control group). Results: The data indicated that yoga breathing techniques in group, regarding the effectiveness of the intervention, was significantly (pConclusion: Due to the effectiveness of this treatment, it is recommended to use it in different clinics to improve both the mental and physical well-being of women suffering from MS.
