A Delphi study on environmental factors that impact work and social life participation of individuals with multiple sclerosis in Austria and Switzerland

Abstract

This study indicates that participation in work or social life is influenced by physical, social, attitudinal, and policy factors. Consensus factors afford insights into areas for consideration in the development of participation outcome measurements and support a comprehensive and inclusive rehabilitation approach.

Physical activity and exercise priorities in community dwelling people with multiple sclerosis: a Delphi study

“…As far as the authors are aware, no other study has used a consensus building methodology to ascertain the prioritised exercise and physical activity practices and the reasons why pwMS engage in exercise and physical activity. Similarities in the socio-demographic profile of respondents in this study and other published MS groups relating to, female to male ratio [12][13][14]26], age range [13,14,[26][27][28], type of MS classification albeit slight differences in proportions [13,14,28,29], mean Barthel score [30] and mean quality of life score [30], suggest that these results might be comparable to other typical MS community dwelling populations.…”

Environmental Factors Affecting the Daily Functioning of Jordanian Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

“…It also highlights the importance of raising the awareness of family and community members about their possible negative effects on the person with MS and encouraging them to examine their behaviors to avoid further burdening the patient. The results for the "products and technology" category are consistent with the findings of Prodinger et al 7 that products intended for public use (eg, stairs and crosswalks) were rated by Austrian patients with MS as moderately to highly important for work and social participation.…”

“…Once again, this highlights the hindering effect of the public on the daily functioning of these patients. Although other characteristics such as strong room lighting, air quality, climate, and the hilly nature of the city were also rated high for their hindering effect on daily functioning (consistent with the findings of Prodinger et al 7 ), factors imposed by people were most disturbing to the participants. This finding is interesting because nature-related factors might be expected to be perceived by patients as most hindering given the neurologic impairment inherent to MS, which results in sensitivity to sunlight and temperature changes.…”

“…2,3 Given that MS often strikes individuals at their peak productive age of 20 to 40 years, 4,5 multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs (eg, comprising physical, occupational, and speech therapy) to manage the effects of the disease on functioning are essential for these people. [6][7][8] Among these programs, occupational therapy is typically aimed at minimizing disability, maximizing independence in activities and participation, and preventing future disability. 9,10 This usually requires a systematic functional assessment that addresses all areas of one's life.…”

“…4,[15][16][17] However, there is limited focus on the effect of contextual-namely, environmental-factors on functioning in this population. 7,18 The environment surrounding an individual, in its physical or social sense, may contain several factors characterized as enabling (eg, good transportation services or family support), disabling (eg, lack of good transportation services or unsupportive family members), or neutral (eg, availability of transportation services when there is no need for any, or neutral family attitudes) with respect to one's performance of daily activities. Although the relationship between these factors and the individual's performance is complex, the influence of the factors usually depends on the individual's health status.…”