Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Fatigue and Kinesiophobia in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition that can cause fatigue and fear of movement (kinesiophobia), which may interfere with daily activities and participation in rehabilitation. Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique (JPMRT) is a structured relaxation technique involving the sequential contraction and relaxation of different muscle groups. This study examined the association between participation in an eight-week JPMRT program and changes in fatigue impact and kinesiophobia among patients with MS. A quasi-experimental, two-group pretest-posttest design was conducted at the Neurological Clinic and Neurological Department of Menoufia University Hospital, Egypt. A total of 70 patients with MS participated in the study. Thirty-five patients were assigned to the control group and 35 to the JPMRT study group using a non-random sequential allocation procedure. The control group was recruited and assessed first, followed by recruitment and intervention of the study group, to reduce the possibility of sharing intervention-related information between participants. Patients in the study group received a structured JPMRT program over eight weeks. The program included four supervised sessions during the first two weeks, followed by six weeks of daily home practice. Each supervised session lasted approximately 30-45 minutes. Participants were taught the correct sequence of contracting and relaxing major muscle groups through demonstration, redemonstration, feedback, educational materials, and instructions for home practice. Home practice was performed once daily for 10-15 minutes. The control group continued to receive routine neurological care without the JPMRT program during the study period. Fatigue impact and kinesiophobia were assessed before and after the eight-week study period using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), respectively. Performance of the relaxation technique was also assessed in the JPMRT group using a performance checklist. The study examined changes in fatigue impact and kinesiophobia within and between the two groups and the relationship between these outcomes after the intervention. Because participants were not randomly allocated and the groups were recruited during different periods, the findings were interpreted as an association rather than definitive evidence of a causal effect of JPMRT.