Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

study designA quasi-experimental, two-group pretest-posttest design was conducted at the Neurological Clinic and Neurological Department of Menoufia University Hospital, Egypt.\n\nA total of 70 patients with MS participated in the study.

subjects"eligibilityCriteria": "Inclusion Criteria:\n\n* Participants were eligible if they had a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis for at least six months, were aged 20-60 years, and were able to communicate and comprehend the study instructions.\n\nExclusion Criteria:\n\n* Patients with a documented psychotic disorder that could impair their ability to understand the study instructions, those who had received psychotherapy during the previous six months, or those who had participated in any program targeting physical health and/or fatigue during the previous six months were excluded.",

sample sizeA total of 70 patients with MS participated in the study.

sample size basisAll participants completed the study and the post-intervention assessment.

randomizedThirty-five patients were assigned to the control group and 35 to the JPMRT study group using a non-random sequential allocation procedure.

controlled"interventionModelDescription": "A two-group, non-randomized, parallel-assignment, pretest-posttest design in which participants were allocated sequentially to either a routine-care control group or a Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique (JPMRT) intervention group.

regulatory approvalEffect sizes were calculated to describe the magnitude of observed differences, and correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between post-intervention kinesiophobia and fatigue impact.\n\nThe study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University (ERCNMA 1000/7/5/112/25) and by the relevant administrative authorities of Menoufia University Hospital.

regulatory approval detailsEffect sizes were calculated to describe the magnitude of observed differences, and correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between post-intervention kinesiophobia and fatigue impact.\n\nThe study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University (ERCNMA 1000/7/5/112/25) and by the relevant administrative authorities of Menoufia University Hospital.

interventionThe control group was recruited and assessed first, followed by recruitment and intervention of the study group, to reduce the possibility of sharing intervention-related information between participants.\n\nPatients in the study group received a structured JPMRT program over eight weeks.

comparatorAdherence to home practice was monitored throughout the intervention.\n\nParticipants in the control group continued to receive routine neurological care, including their prescribed medical treatment and usual follow-up according to their clinical needs.

primary endpoint"description": "Kinesiophobia was assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), a 17-item instrument measuring fear of movement and re-injury.

follow upAssessments were conducted before the intervention and following completion of the intervention period.

findingsThe control group continued to receive routine neurological care without the JPMRT program during the study period.\n\nFatigue impact and kinesiophobia were assessed before and after the eight-week study period using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), respectively.

limitationsThe findings were interpreted in light of the quasi-experimental design, non-random allocation, single-center setting, relatively small sample, potential temporal and selection bias, and absence of long-term follow-up.