Effectiveness of Psychodrama based on Unity-oriented Therapeutic Approach on Resilience of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. This disease is the most common cause of disability in young age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of psychodrama based on unity-oriented therapeutic approach on resilience of patients with multiple sclerosis.
This study was a quasi-experimental research investigation, using pre- post and follow-up testing plan with a control group. Through a convenience sampling technique, a total of 20 individuals were selected among female patients with multiple sclerosis referring to Iranian Multiple Sclerosis Society. Then, the subjects were randomly placed into two control and experimental groups. The experimental group participated in a twelve-session unity-focused psychodrama therapy plan for 6 weeks, while the control group received no intervention. In order to collect data, the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC; 2003) was used.
The results revealed a significant difference between two groups for the post test and follow-up test scores. The psychodrama intervention based on unity-oriented therapeutic approach can be used as an effective modality to enhance a sense of resilience among patients with multiple sclerosis.
Our findings suggest using psychodrama based on unity-oriented for improving mental condition of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. The psychodrama based on unity-oriented therapeutic approach provides the integrity and acquisition of semantic knowledge about patient's negative experiences. Furthermore, this approach can foster the acceptance of illness, as of being connected with the world and a sense of immortality, among these patients.