Effect of Mobile Health Self-Care Training on Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

Background: Technological advancements have facilitated disease management. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of mobile health training on the fatigue levels of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Zahedan. Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved 80 MS patients who joined the Zahedan Multiple Sclerosis Association in 2023. Patients were selected through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Patients in the intervention group received mobile health education on fatigue reduction strategies using a website (www.Betterlifems.ir) created by the researcher, in addition to the standard education. The control group received only the standard education. In both groups, data were collected through a demographic information questionnaire and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at the beginning and two months after the intervention, using the interview method. The SPSS software (version 26) was used to analyze the collected data via paired t-test, independent t-test, chi-square test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level set at less than 0.05 (P < 0.05). Results: In the control group, the average fatigue score increased from 43.72 ± 9.04 to 44.07 ± 9.13, which did not demonstrate a significant increase (P = 0.69). Conversely, in the intervention group, the average fatigue score significantly decreased from 43.47 ± 8.15 to 30.10 ± 8.28 (P = 0.001). The ANCOVA results, which accounted for significant pretest score effects, revealed a significant difference in mean fatigue scores between the two groups after the intervention (P = 0.001). Conclusions: This study confirms that mobile health training has a significantly positive effect on the fatigue experienced by patients with MS. Therefore, mobile health can be utilized to teach self-care strategies to manage and alleviate fatigue in MS patients.