The Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management Training and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Interleukin 12 in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

The levels of Biomarkers such as interleukin 12 (IL-12) are elevated in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) training and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on IL-12 in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients.

The present study was a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and follow-up with control group. The statistical population included all female patients with Relapsing–Remitting MS who had referred to Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Sina Hospital. 30 patients were selected by convenient sampling method and were replaced randomly into two experimental groups and one control group(each group included 10 patients). One of the experimental groups received the CBSM training and another experimental group received the ACT. To measure IL-12, the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with repeated measurement.

The results showed that ACT had no significant effect on IL-12 (p>0.05), but CBSM training significantly reduced IL-12 and these results remained in the follow-up period (p<0.001).

Relaxation techniques in CBSM can increase diaphragmatic breathing and decrease stress experience, including cortisol levels and stress. Subsequently, physiological symptoms reduce stress and thus affect the level of biomarkers like IL-12.Therefore, it can be useful in improving biological parameters in patients with MS.