The experience of people with multiple sclerosis who receive occupational performance coaching

TL;DR

This study shows that Occupational Performance Coaching helps people with Multiple Sclerosis manage their daily lives by focusing on solutions and improving self-management skills.

Contribution

The study introduces Occupational Performance Coaching as a novel approach to support self-management in people with Multiple Sclerosis.

Findings

Participants shifted focus from resisting MS to adopting solution-focused strategies.

OPC helped individuals develop realistic and actionable self-management skills.

Planning ahead and consistent strategies emerged as key outcomes of the coaching.

Abstract

To explore how Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) influences self-management in the daily lives of people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS).

A qualitative study involving 10 PwMS who underwent 6 sessions of telephone OPC over ten weeks. Interpretive description was used as the methodological approach. Participants were interviewed pre- and post-intervention, with thematic analysis performed on transcripts.

Pre-intervention themes included resisting MS, living with MS, ongoing challenges, and strategies. Post-intervention, the theme of resisting MS dissipated, with emergent sub-themes of planning ahead, being consistent, and talking about the plan. Participants reported reduced resistance towards their condition, a shift in their focus from problems towards solutions, and an enhancement of existing strategies and/or development of new strategies used to overcome ongoing challenges in living with MS.

OPC may facilitate a shift in focus towards solutions and enhance self-management strategies in PwMS.

This study highlights OPC as a promising and innovative approach for addressing the self-management needs of individuals with MS, emphasizing its potential to enhance meaningful participation by fostering effective coping strategies and proactive attitudes.

•Occupational Performance Coaching promotes solution-focused strategies for MS management.•Occupational Performance Coaching helps individuals with MS adopt realistic and actionable strategies.•Participants gained self-management skills, including learning to plan ahead.•Occupational Performance Coaching helps shift focus from MS-related challenges to practical solutions.

Occupational Performance Coaching promotes solution-focused strategies for MS management.

Occupational Performance Coaching helps individuals with MS adopt realistic and actionable strategies.

Participants gained self-management skills, including learning to plan ahead.

Occupational Performance Coaching helps shift focus from MS-related challenges to practical solutions.