Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive and degenerative
myelin sheath of the central nervous system. Manifestation and side effect of this disease
drastically impress patient’s body image and destruct self concept. The objective of the
implementation of this study was to evaluate the effect of Orem self- care program on multiple
sclerosis patients’ self concept.
Materials and Methods: This quesi-experimental study was done on 34 MS patients referred to
Ayatollah Kashani hospital in Shahrekord – Iran, during 2008. The patients were selected by
convenience sampling. 8 sessions educational program based on patients needs and Orem self
care frame work during 3 months were carried out and with self reporting sheets program was
pursued. After 3 months self concept questionnaire completed and data were analyzed by using
SPSS-11.5 software and paired T, will kakson and kruskal wallis tests.
Results: Mean of self concept, prior and post intervention was 60.67±4.20, 118.26±3.53,
respectively (P<0.05). No significant correlation was found between age, gender, educational
level, marriage status, number of children, occupation, level of income, duration of outbreak,
times of hospitalized with self esteem.
Conclusion: This study showed that self care program based on the Orem frame work has
positive effects on self esteem in multiple sclerosis patients. Therefore this program is
recommended in MS patients
