Iranian Association for Intelligence and Talent Studies International Journal of Education and Cognitive Sciences 3041-8828 7 July 2026 2026 07 01 The Effectiveness of Short-Term Object Relations Therapy on the Severity of Cognitive Fatigue in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A Randomized Clinical Trial The Effectiveness of Short-Term Object Relations Therapy on the Severity of Cognitive Fatigue in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A Randomized Clinical Trial 1 9 EN Journal Article 2026 01 01 <p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of short-term object relations therapy in reducing the severity of cognitive fatigue among patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials: </strong>This study employed an applied, quantitative design using a randomized quasi-experimental pretest–posttest structure with a control group and a three-month follow-up phase. The statistical population included patients diagnosed with MS who were referred to healthcare centers in Isfahan during 2025–2026. A total of 36 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 18) and a control group (n = 18). The experimental group received short-term object relations group therapy based on a structured 14-session protocol delivered over seven weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Fatigue Severity Scale at three time points: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 29, including descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Levene’s tests for assumptions, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA) where necessary.</p> <p><strong>Findings: </strong>The results of repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant main effect of group (F = 34.55, p &lt; 0.001, η² = 0.504), a significant main effect of time (F = 41.69, p &lt; 0.001, η² = 0.551), and a significant interaction effect between time and group (F = 73.93, p &lt; 0.001, η² = 0.685) on cognitive fatigue severity. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons revealed significant reductions in cognitive fatigue from pretest to posttest (p &lt; 0.001) and from pretest to follow-up (p &lt; 0.001), as well as a smaller but significant difference between posttest and follow-up (p = 0.037) in the experimental group.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Short-term object relations therapy is an effective intervention for reducing cognitive fatigue in patients with MS, producing significant and sustained improvements that highlight the importance of addressing emotional and relational processes in the management of fatigue-related symptoms.</p> https://journalecs.com/index.php/ecs/article/download/358/322