The Effect of a Self-Management Program on Care Burden and Self-Efficacy in Family Caregivers of People With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background Family caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) face many caring-related problems that increase their care burden and decrease their self-efficacy. Evidence-based self-management interventions may be used to improve care processes and resolve caregiver concerns. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a self-management program on care burden and self-efficacy in family caregivers of people with MS. Methods This study was performed in Iran in 2018-2019. The participants were selected using convenience sampling and assigned to control and intervention groups of 35 participants each using stratified randomization by gender. The intervention group participated in an eight-session self-management program. Data were collected using the Zarit Burden Interview and Scherrer Self-efficacy Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS Version 16. Results No significant difference in care burden scores was found between the two groups at baseline (p =.953). However, mean scores for care burden in the intervention group were significantly higher (p