COMPARING EFFICACY OF GROUPS COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY AND DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY ON TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

There are various methods for treatment of depression. This study was aimed to
examine and compare the efficacy of two therapeutic techniques namely group cognitive behavior
therapy and dialectical behavior therapy on decreasing depression level of multiple sclerosis patients.
Materials & Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental design from pretest - posttest with control
group. Population included patients with multiple sclerosis referring to the Shiraz Multiple Sclerosis
(M.S.) Association in spring 2013. A total of 30 patients from participants who had high scores on the
Beck Depression test were selected by sampling method and were placed equally and randomly into
three groups of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and control groups. The
measurement tool was Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The experimental groups participated in 8
sessions of educational group. The mean scores of the two groups were compared through analysis of
covariance.
Results: The results of the study showed the significant differences between the mean scores of the
pre-test and post-test of the experimental groups and control group i.e. cognitive behavior group
therapy and dialectical behavior group therapy had reduced the depression mean score in the
experimental groups.
Conclusion: Since behavioral therapy with significant difference than dialectical behavior therapy
could reduce depressive symptoms in patients; therefore, it can be placed as a new approach in
prioritizing treatment and reducing depression in M.S. patients