The effect of counseling based on the PLISSIT model on sexual quality of life of married women with multiple sclerosis referring to MS center in 2019: a randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is the most common progressive neurological disability in young adults. Sexual quality of life is mainly attributed to feelings of sexual attraction, showing interest and participating in sexual activity. The PLISSIT model shows 4 levels of intervention: Permission, limited Information, Specific Suggestions, and Intensive Therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of counseling based on the PLISSIT model on the sexual quality of life of married women with multiple sclerosis referring to MS center in 2019. This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 62 married women with multiple sclerosis. In the experimental group, based on the PLISSIT model, face-to-face counseling was conducted weekly in 4 sessions and each session lasted between 45 and 75 min. The control group received no intervention. Due to ethical issues, after completing the research, an educational guide on the quality of sexual life was given to the control group. The data collection tool was a questionnaire of sexual quality of life containing 18 questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS software. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups before the intervention (P > 0.05). However, 2 weeks and 2 months after the intervention, the overall level of sexual quality of life in the experimental group was significantly better than the control group (P < 0.05). This study showed that counseling based on the PLISSIT model could have better results on the quality of life in sex.