The Effect of Distance Empowerment Program on Self-efficacy Among Multiple Sclerosis Patients

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common nontraumatic debilitating disease in young adults. This study aimed to determine the effect of distance empowerment programs on self-efficacy in MS patients. METHODS: Sixty-four MS patients participated in this quasi-experimental study. Patients were first entered into the study using the convenience sampling method and then were randomly allocated to control (32) and intervention (32) groups. The intervention group underwent a distance empowerment program (via WhatsApp, Telegram, and blog) and weekly telephone follow-up for 2 months. Self-efficacy was evaluated before, and immediately after, the empowerment program using the MS Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS : Data from 59 participants were analyzed. Before implementation of the empowerment program, the mean scores of self-efficacy in the intervention and control groups were not significantly different. After implementing the empowerment program, the mean score of self-efficacy in the intervention group was higher than that of the control group ( P < .05). CONCLUSION : Distance empowerment has an effect on the self-efficacy of patients with MS and may lead to an increase in self-efficacy scores after implementing an empowerment program.