Use of Alternative Treatments by People with Multiple Sclerosis

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy S. Berkman ◽  
Monica G. Pignotti ◽  
Pamela F. Cavallo ◽  
Nancy J. Holland
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Complementary Therapies ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Alternative Treatments ◽  
Disease Characteristics ◽  
Specific Alternative ◽  
National Multiple Sclerosis Society ◽  
Treatment Use

The prevalence, predictors, and description of alternative treatment use among peo ple with multiple sclerosis (MS) have not been well studied despite interest and con cern about such use among health care professionals and people with MS. The goal of this study was to describe the prevalence of the use of specific alternative treatments by people with MS, the sociodemographic and disease characteristics of those most likely to use alternative treatments, perceived benefits and harms from use of these treatments, and the reasons for their use. Almost three-fifths of the study sample of 240 people diagnosed with MS from two chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society had used alternative treatments. Most (90 percent) of those who had used al ternative treatments did so in combination with traditional treatments. Only 7.1 per cent used any treatments considered to be high risk or dangerous. The primary reason for using alternative treatments was to obtain relief from physical and psychological symptoms. Implications of these findings for health care professionals are discussed. Key Words: Multiple sclerosis—Alternative therapies—Complementary therapies— Alternative medical practices—Unconventional medicine.

Mobility in Multiple Sclerosis: More than just a Physical Problem

2000 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Chan ◽  
CS Heck
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Physical Disability ◽  
Physical Problem ◽  
Societal Issue ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Mobility Devices ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Mobility restriction is a common physical disability among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Psychological, sociocultural, environmental, political, and economic influences are among the factors that affect the mobility of a person with MS. These factors have also been identified as elements of the determinants of individual and population health. Health care professionals providing services to the MS population often prescribe appropriate mobility devices for those with mobility restrictions. The goal is to enhance activities and participation in all domains of the individual's life. In addition to directing their services at the individual level, health care professionals addressing mobility issues of individuals with MS should include the additional factors and other determinants of health at the population and societal levels. Therefore, mobility is not only an individual's physical problem, but it is also a population health issue and a societal issue.

Incidence and outcomes of bulimia nervosa: a nationwide population-based study

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 823-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Keski-Rahkonen ◽  
H. W. Hoek ◽  
M. S. Linna ◽  
A. Raevuori ◽  
E. Sihvola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Clinical Recovery ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
First Time

BackgroundLittle is known about the epidemiology of bulimia nervosa outside clinical settings. We report the incidence, prevalence and outcomes of bulimia nervosa using for the first time a nationwide study design.MethodTo assess the incidence and natural course and outcomes of DSM-IV bulimia nervosa among women from the general population, women (n=2881) from the 1975–79 birth cohorts of Finnish twins were screened for lifetime eating disorders using a two-stage procedure consisting of a questionnaire screen and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). Clinical recovery was defined as 1-year abstinence from bingeing and purging combined with a body mass index (BMI) ⩾19 kg/m2.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of DSM-IV bulimia nervosa was 2.3%; 76% of the women suffered from its purging subtype and 24% from the non-purging subtype. The incidence rate of bulimia nervosa was 300/100000 person-years at the peak age of incidence, 16–20 years, and 150/100000 at 10–24 years. The 5-year clinical recovery rate was 55.0%. Less than a third of the cases had been detected by health-care professionals; detection did not influence outcome. After clinical recovery from bulimia nervosa, the mean levels of residual psychological symptoms gradually decreased over time but many women continued to experience significantly more body image problems and psychosomatic symptoms than never-ill women.ConclusionsFew women with bulimia nervosa are recognized in health-care settings. Symptoms of bulimia are relatively long-standing, and recovery is gradual. Many clinically recovered women experience residual psychological symptoms after attaining abstinence from bingeing and purging.

scholarly journals Multiple Sclerosis and Sexuality: A Survey of MS Health Professionals' Comfort, Training, and Inquiry About Sexual Dysfunction

2003 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Germaine A. Griswold ◽  
Frederick W. Foley ◽  
June Halper ◽  
Nicholas G. LaRocca ◽  
Vance Zemon
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Human Sexuality ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
And Training ◽  
Frequent Problem

When health care professionals were asked about their perceptions of, assessment of, and treatment methods for sexual dysfunction, they acknowledged that sexual dysfunction was a frequent problem for MS patients, although few addressed the issue with their patients. Most also believed that very few of the patients actually sought help for sexual dysfunction. In addition to comfort level and training as the strongest predictors determining inquiry behavior, respondents indicated that lack of time with patients was an important factor in not inquiring about sexual function. As a whole, the group had minimal training in human sexuality. This questionnaire-based study found that amount of training was a significant predictor of both comfort level in discussing sexual functioning and the frequency in which discussions were initiated with patients. The results suggest that more training would facilitate MS health care professionals' comfort and assessment behaviors of sexual dysfunction. (Int J MS Care. 2003; 5: 37–38, 44–51)

scholarly journals Examination of Coping Strategies among On-Site Paramedics

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-195
Author(s):  
Vladimír Moskola ◽  
Ágnes Dóra Sándor ◽  
Éva Susánszky ◽  
Andrea Székely ◽  
István Hornyák ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Patient Treatment ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Ambulance Personnel ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Ways Of Coping Questionnaire

The occurrence of physical and psychological symptoms that negatively influence everyday activities, efficient job performance, and professional patient treatment are common among paramedic workers. Aim: We uncovered the characteristic coping strategies applied by on-site paramedics and searched for correlations between these strategies and demographic, socio-economic characteristics, as well as factors related to work, workplace, and health behaviours. Sample and methodology: The survey was conducted between March 1, 2018, and February 28, 2019, among employees of the DG National Ambulance Service and participants of the Chamber of Hungarian Health Care Professionals. We used an abbreviated version of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire that contains 22 items (WOC-22). Descriptive statistics, independent samples T-tests, correlation calculations, analysis of variance with the Games-Howell post-hoc test were also carried out. Results: Tension reduction was a more common coping strategy among female and/or single paramedics as well as also being characteristic of people who work as paramedic officers. Problem-oriented coping stood out as a characteristic of people who have a higher level of education and/or are more satisfied with their financial situation. Risk-seeking appears dominantly among those who are not religious and/or have a lower level of education. Conclusions: Although paramedics are basically characterized by problem-oriented coping strategies, they quite often apply non-adaptive strategies as well; consequently, the chance of developing anxiety remains higher for them. Our aim is to use effective intervention methods for curbing the development of anxiety conditions among the ambulance personnel that have long-lasting negative effects on health care. To achieve this goal, we recommend including a questionnaire about coping strategies into the admission process of would-be paramedics; also, completing such questionnaires among the whole emergency workforce.

scholarly journals The Mindful Body: A Phenomenology of the Body With Multiple Sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (14) ◽  
pp. 2239-2249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanneke van der Meide ◽  
Truus Teunissen ◽  
Pascal Collard ◽  
Merel Visse ◽  
Leo H Visser
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Body Experience ◽  
Phenomenology Of The Body ◽  
Health And Illness

For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), one’s own body may no longer be taken for granted but may become instead an insistent presence. In this article, we describe how the body experience of people with MS can reflect an ongoing oscillation between four experiential dimensions: bodily uncertainty, having a precious body, being a different body, and the mindful body. People with MS can become engaged in a mode of permanent bodily alertness and may demonstrate adaptive responses to their ill body. In contrast to many studies on health and illness, our study shows that the presence of the body may not necessarily result in alienation or discomfort. By focusing the attention on the body, a sense of well-being can be cultivated and the negative effects of MS only temporarily dominate experience. Rather than aiming at bodily dis-appearance, health care professionals should therefore consider ways to support bodily eu-appearance.

scholarly journals Exploring the Specific Needs of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis for mHealth Solutions for Physical Activity: Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Giunti ◽  
Jan Kool ◽  
Octavio Rivera Romero ◽  
Enrique Dorronzoro Zubiete
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Mhealth Apps

BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the world’s most common neurologic disorders, with symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive problems, and issues with mobility. Evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) helps people with MS reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. The use of mobile technologies for health has grown in recent years with little involvement from relevant stakeholders. User-centered design (UCD) is a design philosophy with the goal of creating solutions specific to the needs and tasks of the intended users. UCD involves stakeholders early and often in the design process. In a preliminary study, we assessed the landscape of commercially available MS mobile health (mHealth) apps; to our knowledge, no study has explored what persons with MS and their formal care providers think of mHealth solutions for PA. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to (1) explore MS-specific needs for MS mHealth solutions for PA, (2) detect perceived obstacles and facilitators for mHealth solutions from persons with MS and health care professionals, and (3) understand the motivational aspects behind adoption of mHealth solutions for MS. METHODS A mixed-methods design study was conducted in Kliniken Valens, Switzerland, a clinic specializing in neurological rehabilitation. We explored persons with MS and health care professionals who work with them separately. The study had a qualitative part comprising focus groups and interviews, and a quantitative part with standardized tools such as satisfaction with life scale and electronic health (eHealth) literacy. RESULTS A total of 12 persons with relapsing-remitting MS and 12 health care professionals from different backgrounds participated in the study. Participants were well-educated with an even distribution between genders. Themes identified during analysis were MS-related barriers and facilitators, mHealth design considerations, and general motivational aspects. The insights generated were used to create MS personas for design purposes. Desired mHealth features were as follows: (1) activity tracking, (2) incentives for completing tasks and objectives, (3) customizable goal setting, (4) optional sociability, and (5) game-like attitude among others. Potential barriers to mHealth apps adoption were as follows: (1) rough on-boarding experiences, (2) lack of clear use benefits, and (3) disruption of the health care provider-patient relationship. Potential facilitators were identified: (1) endorsements from experts, (2) playfulness, and (3) tailored to specific persons with MS needs. A total of 4 MS personas were developed to provide designers and computer scientists means to help in the creation of future mHealth solutions for MS. CONCLUSIONS mHealth solutions for increasing PA in persons with MS hold promise. Allowing for realistic goal setting and positive feedback, while minimizing usability burdens, seems to be critical for the adoption of such apps. Fatigue management is especially important in this population; more attention should be brought to this area.

scholarly journals Informing the Children When a Parent Is Diagnosed as Having Multiple Sclerosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ylva Nilsagård ◽  
Katrin Boström
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Disease Information ◽  
Group Interviews

Background: The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of how health-care services can support the empowerment of children when a parent is diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis (MS). The study focuses on what information parents with MS, their partners, and their children desire from health-care professionals. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted with nine adolescents, nine parents with diagnosed MS, and five partners representing members of ten families. Results: The main finding was that parents with MS, their partners, and the adolescents stressed their need to be well informed about the disease. Information should be provided at the time of diagnosis and then offered regularly throughout the disease course. The information should be suited to the recipient's level of maturity and individualized to reflect the parent's clinical picture. Conclusions: It is usually beneficial for children if their parents feel informed about the illness and encourage their children to ask questions and discuss the situation. This knowledge, gained from several sources, is likely to be of value for health-care professionals and their ongoing efforts to improve services for parents with MS, their partners, and their children.

Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Multiple Sclerosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Margie O'Leary ◽  
Sherie Lammers ◽  
Anne Mageras ◽  
Marilyn Boyd ◽  
Rose Constantino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Crisis Intervention ◽  
The United States ◽  
Safety Planning ◽  
Critical Part ◽  
Legal Professionals ◽  
Innovative Program ◽  
National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Domestic violence (DV) is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States. The problem also affects men but at a lower rate. An innovative program to address DV and abuse of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been developed by the Allegheny District Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). The program, known as REACH, was designed to improve the ability to screen for DV and abuse and to provide subsequent crisis intervention, empowerment options, counseling, and safety planning. A critical part of REACH has been the instruction provided to health care and legal professionals, NMSS staff, caseworkers, and people diagnosed with MS. The REACH program has been enormously successful in increasing awareness and detection of DV and abuse within the chapter service area, and this expertise has been widely communicated throughout the organization.

scholarly journals Palliative Care for Severely Affected Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: When and Why? Results of a Delphi Survey of Health Care Professionals

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1128-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Strupp ◽  
Vanessa Romotzky ◽  
Maren Galushko ◽  
Heidrun Golla ◽  
Raymond Voltz
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Delphi Survey

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of Health Care Professionals’ Views on Bowel Care in Multiple Sclerosis: Whose Job Is It Anyway?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Woodward ◽  
Maureen Coggrave ◽  
Lesley Dibley ◽  
Doreen McClurg ◽  
Christine Norton
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Bowel Dysfunction ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Uk National Health Service

Abstract Background: Bowel dysfunction, including constipation and fecal incontinence, is prevalent in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), adversely affecting quality of life and increasing caregiver burden. How health care professionals (HCPs) identify, assess, and manage people with MS with bowel dysfunction is understudied. This study explored how HCPs think about, assess, and manage bowel dysfunction in people with MS. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 18 HCPs from different professional disciplines and clinical specialities recruited from UK National Health Service primary, secondary, and tertiary care services using purposive and chain referral sampling through professional networks. One participant worked for a bladder and bowel charity. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Views differed regarding responsibilities for providing bowel care. Participants thought people with MS should notify HCPs of bowel symptoms and take responsibility for self-management where possible, with family caregivers required to help with bowel care. Although people with MS were often referred to bladder and bowel specialists when a crisis point was reached, earlier referral was called for by these HCPs. There were variations in assessment processes, treatment options offered, and service provision. Participants thought HCPs needed more education on bowel dysfunction, bowel care should take a high priority, and evidence-based clinical guidelines and referral pathways would improve service delivery. Conclusions: The HCPs caring for people with MS see many with bowel dysfunction, and there is variation in care and service provision; HCPs require more education, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and referral pathways to improve case finding, assessment, and management of these symptoms for people with MS.

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