Article

The hospitals' outpatient clinics for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) are
important in the health care. Research regarding physiotherapy in such clinics is
limited. The purpose was to investigate how PwMS perceive movement during single
sessions of physiotherapy in a hospital's outpatient clinic, and what do these
experiences mean for the patient's insight into their movement disturbances?
Qualitative research interviews were performed with a purposive sample of 12 PwMS
and supplemented with seven videotaped sessions. Content analysis was performed.
The results indicate that contextualized perceptions of movement appear to be an
essential source for PwMS to gain expanded insight with regard to their
individual movement disturbances regardless of their ambulatory status. The
contextualization implies that perceptions of movement are integrated with the
physiotherapist's explanations regarding optimizing gait and balance or other
activities of daily life. Perceptions of improvement in body part movement and/or
functional activities are vital to enhancing their understanding of their
individual movement disorders, and they may provide expanded insight regarding
future possibilities and limitations involving everyday tasks. The implementation
of movements, which transforms the perceived improvement into self-assisted
exercises, appeared to be meaningful. Contextualized perceptions of improvements
in movement may strengthen the person's sense of ownership and sense of agency
and thus promote autonomy and self-encouragement. The findings underpin the
importance of contextualized perceptions of movement based on exploration of
potential for change, as an integrated part of information
and communication in
the health care for PwMS. Further investigations are necessary to deepen our
knowledge.

Langue : ANGLAIS