In this study, following protocol approval and receipt of an ethics code from the Ethics Committee in Research of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, the researchers will visit the MS Society center of Rafsanjan, and from among the total multiple sclerosis patients who are members of or have records at this center, 64 eligible patients will be selected using purposive sampling. To ensure homogeneity between the groups in terms of functional dependency level, a Stratified Random Allocation method will be used. First, in the initial stage, participants will be divided into two strata based on their Barthel Index scores: stratum one (high functional dependency, score 20–61) and stratum two (low functional dependency, score 62–90). In the second stage, for each stratum, participants will be randomly distributed (using a lottery method) between the intervention and control groups, such that ultimately each group will consist of 32 participants with a balanced distribution from both strata.
After explaining the research objectives and obtaining informed, written consent from participants, the initial assessment stage (pre-test) will be conducted. At this stage, the demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Barthel functional index, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) will be completed via self-report by participants in both the intervention and control groups.
Subsequently, participants in the intervention group will take part in an educational program based on the "Family-Centered Empowerment Model" (FCEM). This intervention will be delivered in a group format, with the active participation of one family member (primary caregiver), at the MS Society center of Rafsanjan.