EL EFECTO DE UN PROGRAMA COMBINADO DE EJERCICIO Y FIJACIÓN DE OBJETIVOS SOBRE LA MEJORA EN LA CALIDAD DE VIDA Y LA REDUCCIÓN DE LA ANSIEDAD Y LA DEPRESIÓN EN PACIENTES CON ESCLEROSIS MÚLTIPLE

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of a combined exercise and goal-setting program of Greek patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) on improving quality of life, reducing anxiety and avoiding depression through physical activity. The sample consisted of 30 patients with MS (15 men & 15 women), aged 23 to 65 years, randomly assigned into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group (N = 15) participated in an 8-week exercise program combined with self-selected goal-setting strategies. The control group (N = 15) did not participate in any intervention procedure. Pre and post intervention, both groups completed instruments measuring their quality of life (SF-36), anxiety and depression (HADS). Comparison between pre and post-intervention results showed an improvement on quality of life features and a reduction of depression and anxiety levels only for the experimental group participants compared to control group individuals. Based on these findings, further recommendations were made concerning the effect of a combined physical activity and goal-setting program on improving quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis.