This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) therapy on distress tolerance, pain perception, and interleukin-12 (IL-12) in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

The present study was a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest, follow-up, and control group. The statistical population included all female patients with relapsing-remitting MS who had been referred to Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Research Centers of Tehran Medical Sciences University. Among them, 20 patients were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental (10 patients) and control groups (10 patients). The experimental group received the CBSM. Participants completed the research scales. To measure IL-12, the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc test.

CBSM increased the distress tolerance and components of pain perception (perceived influence of important people and doing daily affairs) (p<0.001) and decreased pain severity and IL-12. Also, these changes remained stable during follow-up.

CBSM is effective on distress tolerance, pain perception, and IL-12 in MS patients.