the efficacy of a peer-led versus nurse-led self-management on the subjective well-being of patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized clinical trial

Background: subjective well-being (swb) can be a buffer against mental health problems. patients with multiple sclerosis (ms) tend to experience low levels of subjective well-being. objectives: the two objectives were (1) to examine whether peer-led and nurse-led self-management training can improve swb of patients with ms and (2) to compare the effect of these two interventions on swb of patients with ms.methods: in this trial, 81 patients were randomly assigned to either nurse-led (n = 41) or peer-led (n = 40) groups. both groups participated in six weekly-based 1.5-hr self-management sessions. the cognitive and affective components of swb were evaluatedusing the satisfaction with life scale and the scale for positive and negative experience, respectively.results: life satisfaction increased in both groups over time (p < 0.001), although it was not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). positive and negative experiences increased in both groups over time (p < 0.05), but the increase in positiveexperience in the peer-led group was significantly larger than those in the nurse-led group (p < 0.05).conclusions: peer-led and nurse-led self-management training, are feasible tools to enhance the cognitive component of swb, i.e., life satisfaction. considering the affective component of swb, positive experience in the peer-led group improved better than in the nurse-led group over time. therefore, if healthcare providers improve the swb of patients with relapsing-remitting ms, the self-management intervention led by peers is preferred than nurse-led self-management training.