2021/09/14 by Maarit Karhula, Katja J. Kanelisto, Päivi Hämäläinen +4 · 1 voice
Medicine · Health Professions · #Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies #Occupational Therapy Practice and Research #Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders
paper · pdf · doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2020-061
openalex publication_date 2021/09/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Background: Few multidisciplinary rehabilitation studies with a heterogeneous design have focused on individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study compared subjective-reported changes in performance and satisfaction with daily activities among moderately and severely disabled individuals with MS during a 2-year, multidisciplinary, group-based, outpatient rehabilitation program comprising education in self-management and compensatory techniques, exercise, and guided peer support. Methods: Thirty-eight adults with moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score of 4.0-5.5, 74% women, mean age of 48) and 41 individuals with severe disability (EDSS 6.0-8.5, 63% women, mean age of 48) were assessed at baseline and after 12 and 21 months of outpatient rehabilitation using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Group × time interactions were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance. Participants' explanations of reasons for changes in activity performance were collected via semistructured interviews and analyzed content. Results: Statistically significant improvements in COPM performance and satisfaction scores were reported in both groups from baseline to 21 months of rehabilitation. No significant between-group differences in improvement were observed. The self-reported reasons for improvement were mainly linked to environmental factors. Conclusions: The outpatient rehabilitation program, including 4 themes-cognition, mood, energy conservation, and body control-improved the self-reported performance of patients with MS with moderate and severe disabilities. Environmental factors warrant consideration during rehabilitation.