Diet and Multiple Sclerosis: Scoping Review of Web-Based Recommendations

This scoping review aims to describe occupational therapy interventions carried out with multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in occupational therapy. A peer review of the literature was conducted in different databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase, and in some occupational therapy journals. A search of the literature published was carried out before December 2019. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) articles evaluating the intervention of occupational therapy in MS or ALS including experimental, randomized, nonrandomized and exploratory studies; (2) written in English or Spanish; (3) adult population (over 18 years old). The initial search identified 836 articles of which we included 32 divided into four areas of intervention: fatigue-targeted interventions, cognitive interventions, physical interventions and others. Only 16 studies were carried out exclusively by occupational therapists. Most occupational therapy interventions are aimed at fatigue and physical rehabilitation. The majority of the studies in our review included MS patients, with little representation from the ALS population. These interventions have shown an improvement in perceived fatigue, manual dexterity, falls prevention and improvement in cognitive aspects such as memory, communication, depression and quality of life in the MS and ALS populations.

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Patient’s point of view on the use of telemedicine in multiple sclerosis: a web-based survey

Neurological Sciences ◽

10.1007/s10072-021-05398-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Doriana Landi ◽

Marta Ponzano ◽

Carolina Gabri Nicoletti ◽

Gaia Cola ◽

Gianluca Cecchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Point Of View ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Chronic Medical Conditions ◽

Socioeconomic Conditions ◽

Web Based ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Disease Characteristics ◽

Degree Of Disability

AbstractRestrictions in the access to healthcare facilities during COVID-19 pandemic have raised the need for remote monitoring of chronic medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). In order to enable the continuity of care in these circumstances, many telemedicine applications are currently tested. While physicians’ preferences are commonly investigated, data regarding the patients’ point of view are still lacking. We built a 37 items web-based survey exploring patients’ propensity, awareness, and opinions on telemedicine with the aim to evaluate the sustainability of this approach in MS. Analysing 613 questionnaires out of 1093 that were sent to persons with MS followed at the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Tor Vergata University, Rome, we found that more than half of respondents (54%) were open to having a televisit. Propensity toward telemedicine significantly depended on having a higher income (p = 0.037), living farther from the center (p = 0.038), using computer and tablet (p = 0.010) and using the Internet for other remote activities (p < 0.001), conversely it was not influenced by any specific disease characteristics (i.e. degree of disability). The main advantages and disadvantages of televisit reported by participants were respectively saving time (70%) and impossibility to measure physical parameters (71%). Although the majority of respondents are in favour of televisit, so far this approach is restricted to those displaying better socioeconomic conditions and higher familiarity with technology. Implications of the study are that telemedicine platforms should be better tailored to patients’ demands in order to spread the use of telemedicine, to enhance usability and to increase patients’ adherence.

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Ketogenic Dietary Therapies in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Facts or Fads? A Scoping Review and a Proposal for a Shared Protocol

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13062057 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2057

Author(s):

Costanza Varesio ◽

Serena Grumi ◽

Martina Paola Zanaboni ◽

Martina Maria Mensi ◽

Matteo Chiappedi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Dietary Interventions ◽

Web Based ◽

Potential Efficacy ◽

Study Designs

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing incidence. An expanding body of literature is examining connections between ASD and dietary interventions. Existing reports suggest a beneficial effect of ketogenic dietary therapies (KDTs) in improving behavioral symptoms in ASD. In this context, the purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map available evidence in the literature about the feasibility and potential efficacy of KDTs in pediatric patients with ASD and to inform clinical practice in the field. Moreover, based on the resulting data from the literature review, we aimed to provide a shared protocol to develop a personalized KDT intervention in patients with ASD. A comprehensive and structured web-based literature search was performed using PubMed and Scopus and it yielded 203 records. Seven papers were finally selected and included in the review. Data were abstracted by independent coders. High variability was identified in study designs and dietary aspects emerged among selected studies. Results supported the effectiveness of KDTs in promoting behavioral improvements. Clinical recommendations on which patients may benefit most from KDTs implementation and difficulties in dietary adherence were discussed.

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Use of geographical information systems in multiple sclerosis research: A systematic scoping review

10.21203/rs.3.rs-236908/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Soheil Hashtarkhani ◽

Hossein Tabatabaei-Jafari ◽

Behzad Kiani ◽

MaryAnne Furst ◽

Luis Salvador-Carulla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Geographical Information Systems ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Gis Applications ◽

Thematic Mapping ◽

Health Related ◽

Comprehensive Search ◽

Comprehensive Search Strategy

Abstract Introduction: Geographical Information System (GIS) and spatial analysis have an emerging role in the understanding and management of health-related outcomes. However, there is a knowledge gap about the extent to which GIS has supported Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research. Therefore, this review aimed to explore the types of GIS applications and the complexity of their visualisation in MS research. Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted based on York’s five-stage framework. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies published between 2000 and 2020 using a comprehensive search strategy based on the main concepts related to GIS and MS. Grounded, inductive analysis was conducted to organize studies into meaningful application areas. Further, we developed a tool to assess the visualisation complexity of the selected papers.Results: Of 3,723 identified unique citations, 42 papers met our inclusion criteria for the final review. One or more of the following types of GIS applications were reported by these studies: (a) thematic mapping (37 papers); (b) spatial cluster detection (16 papers); (c) risk factors detection (16 papers); and (d) health access and planning (two papers). In the majority of studies (88%), the score of visualisation complexity was relatively low: three or less from the range of zero to six. Conclusions: Although the number of studies using GIS techniques has dramatically increased in the last decade, the use of GIS in the areas of MS access and planning is still under-researched. Additionally, the capacity of GIS in visualising complex nature of MS care system is not yet fully investigated.

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Utilizing driving simulators for persons with multiple sclerosis: A scoping review

Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour ◽

10.1016/j.trf.2021.12.006 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 85 ◽

pp. 103-118

Author(s):

Sarah Krasniuk ◽

Melissa Knott ◽

Reem Bagajati ◽

Mahdis Azizderouei ◽

Radhika Sultania ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Driving Simulators

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Web-based physiotherapy for people affected by multiple sclerosis: a single blind, randomized controlled feasibility study

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215518817080 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 473-484 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Lorna Paul ◽

Linda Renfrew ◽

Jennifer Freeman ◽

Heather Murray ◽

Belinda Weller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Home Exercise ◽

Walk Test ◽

Web Based ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Home Exercise Programme ◽

Minute Walk ◽

Over Time

Objective: To examine the feasibility of a trial to evaluate web-based physiotherapy compared to a standard home exercise programme in people with multiple sclerosis. Design: Multi-centre, randomized controlled, feasibility study. Setting: Three multiple sclerosis out-patient centres. Participants: A total of 90 people with multiple sclerosis (Expanded Disability Status Scale 4–6.5). Interventions: Participants were randomized to a six-month individualized, home exercise programme delivered via web-based physiotherapy ( n = 45; intervention) or a sheet of exercises ( n = 45; active comparator). Outcome measures: Outcome measures (0, three, six and nine months) included adherence, two-minute walk test, 25 foot walk, Berg Balance Scale, physical activity and healthcare resource use. Interviews were undertaken with 24 participants and 3 physiotherapists. Results: Almost 25% of people approached agreed to take part. No intervention-related adverse events were recorded. Adherence was 40%–63% and 53%–71% in the intervention and comparator groups. There was no difference in the two-minute walk test between groups at baseline (Intervention-80.4(33.91)m, Comparator-70.6(31.20)m) and no change over time (at six-month Intervention-81.6(32.75)m, Comparator-74.8(36.16)m. There were no significant changes over time in other outcome measures except the EuroQol-5 Dimension at six months which decreased in the active comparator group. For a difference of 8(17.4)m in two-minute walk test between groups, 76 participants/group would be required (80% power, P > 0.05) for a future randomized controlled trial. Conclusion: No changes were found in the majority of outcome measures over time. This study was acceptable and feasible by participants and physiotherapists. An adequately powered study needs 160 participants.

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A Scoping Review of Modifiable Risk Factors in Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis: Building for the Future

Children ◽

10.3390/children5110146 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (11) ◽

pp. 146 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Julie Pétrin ◽

Max Fiander ◽

Prenitha Doss ◽

E. Yeh

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Relapse Rate ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Full Text ◽

Lifestyle Factors ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors ◽

Pediatric Onset

Knowledge of the effect of modifiable lifestyle factors in the pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) population is limited. We therefore conducted a scoping review, following the framework provided by Arksey and O’Malley. Four databases were searched for pediatric MS and modifiable lifestyle factors using index terms and keywords, from inception to May 2018. All quantitative and qualitative primary articles were included and limited to English and full text. Of the 7202 articles identified and screened, 25 full-text articles were relevant to our objective and were included. These articles focused on diet obesity, physical activity, and sleep. In cross-sectional analyses, these lifestyle factors were associated with increased risk of pediatric onset MS (POMS), and increased disease activity. Diet, particularly vitamin D and vegetable intake, was associated with reduced relapse rate. Obesity was linked to increased risk of POMS, and physical activity was associated with reduced relapse rate and sleep/rest fatigue. Thus, available studies of lifestyle related outcomes in pediatric MS suggest specific lifestyle related factors, including obesity, higher vitamin D levels, and higher physical activity may associate with lower disease burden in POMS. Studies reviewed are limited by their observational designs. Future studies with longitudinal and experimental designs may further clarify the role of modifiable lifestyle factors in this population.

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