The effectiveness of interpersonal and social rhythm therapy combined with motivational interviewing on increasing life satisfaction of visually impaired students with major depression: a single subject study

Introduction: The goal of treatments should not only be the absence of disease but also the improvement of the patient's life satisfaction. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interpersonal and social rhythm therapy combined with motivational interviewing on increasing the life satisfaction of visually impaired students with major depression. Methods: The research was a quasi-experimental study with a single-subject design including multiple baseline measurments. The statistical population consisted of members of the WhatsApp group of Mashhad welfare students in September 2022 (110 members); among them, 2 visually impaired participants suffering from major depression (one woman and one man) were selected using the purpose-based available sampling method. Beck's depression inventory, and the short form of the quality-of-life enjoyment and satisfaction questionnaire were used for the outcome evaluation. Participants received the intervention for 12 sessions, 1 hour per week; and were followed up for 3 months. Considering the index of stable change, effect size and visual analysis of graphs the data were analyzed. Results: The results showed that interpersonal and social rhythm therapy combined with motivational interviewing significantly increased the participants' life satisfaction after the treatment. Conclusions: The findings indicated that combined interpersonal and social rhythm therapy with motivational interviewing can be an appropriate method for increasing life satisfaction in visually impaired students with major depression. Therefore, it is suggested that the intervention be used to improve the quality of life of these people