Taking Part in Life: Enhancing Participation in Multiple Sclerosis

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The insider's experience

The following example illustrates the importance of recognizing various perspectives on MS. A 40-year-old woman with MS stumbles and falls at her place of work. The physician may view this scenario from the perspective of symptom management and seek information about leg strength and coordination along with complicating factors such as heat sensitivity or fatigue. The physical therapist may view this from the perspective of functional status and question whether mobility aids are needed to

Definition

Participation, a major component of the International Classification of Function, Disability, and Health, is defined by the World Health Organization as involvement in life situations [18]. Recently, “optimal social participation” has been characterized as the absence of disruption in the accomplishment of life habits [19]. The presence of disability has been found to lead to participation that is less diverse, is restricted more to the home setting, involves fewer social relationships, and

Strategies for intervention: what the physician needs to know

Thus far, this article has highlighted the importance of enhanced participation as an essential measure of outcomes in MS. Participation is critical from the perspectives of the health care provider and the individual living with MS. Developing strategies to enhance participation is a complex process that requires excellent communication between the health care provider and the client. Because the quality of this communication influences treatment outcomes, the final section of this article

Summary

Health care professionals participating in rehabilitation for people with MS can play a critical role in enhancing limited outcomes such as enhanced mobility, reductions in symptoms such as pain and depression, and the metaoutcome—participation. This role will be significantly more effective if the health care professional acknowledges and validates the different perspectives of the professional and the patient and recognizes the expertise of the patient who has lived with MS in the context of

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    • Cited by (26)

    • Modified Functional Walking Categories and participation in people with multiple sclerosis

      2018, Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
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      We can also speculate that mobile communication may have an impact on how social participation is perceived. Through use of technology and social media even people with high mobility restrictions but cognitively sufficiently preserved may in part retain social relationships (Yorkston et al., 2005). Concerning participation in productive activities, two thirds of the PwMS were employed at the time of evaluation, a percentage similar to those reported by other studies (Tinghög et al., 2013; Raggi et al., 2016; Krause et al., 2013).

    • A Scoping Review of Self-Management Interventions for Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

      2011, PM and R
      Citation Excerpt :

      Most interventions taught decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, and skills to change behavior. However, fewer than half taught skills for using resources, skills that can enable individuals to participate more fully in their life roles [6-9]. Similarly, fewer than half addressed the ability to effectively communicate with health care providers, skills that can substantially improve health outcomes [43].

    • A Protocol for Improving Loneliness in People with Multiple Sclerosis

      2016, Occupational Therapy in Mental Health

    • Pain acts through fatigue to affect participation in individuals with multiple sclerosis

      2016, Quality of Life Research

    • Correlates of participation in meaningful activities among people with multiple sclerosis

      2015, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

    • Integrating the ICF with positive psychology: Factors predicting role participation for mothers with multiple sclerosis

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    This work was support by the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research grant H133BO31129.

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    Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.