The Effect of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing on Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in Women and Men with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: People with multiple sclerosisof MS experience a decline in quality of life and an increase in depressive symptoms. Therefore, the aim of the present research was determine the effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing on quality of life and depressive symptoms in men and women with MS.

Methodology: This study was a quasi-experimental with a pre-test and posttest, and three-month follow-up design with a control group. The population of the present study was all men and women with MS who referred to Ebnesina Hospital of Qazvin city in 2023 year. The sample size for each group was estimated 15 people, who were selected after reviewing the inclusion criteria for the study with using a available sampling method and randomly assigned to two equal groups. The experimental group trained 8 sessions of 45 minute (one session per week) with eye movements desensitization and reprocessing, and the control group remained on the waiting list for training. The research instruments included the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (Hobart et al., 2001) and depression inventory-II (Beck et al., 1996). The data of this study were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc test methods in SPSS-27 software.

Findings: The results of this study indicated that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing improved quality of life and reduced depressive symptoms in women and men with MS and results were mauntained during the follow-up phase (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Given the effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing on quality of life and depressive symptoms in women and men with MS, therapists and counselors can use the aforementioned method along with other methods to improve the psychological characteristics of vulnerable groups, including patients with MS.