Predictors of Mood Disorders in Parents With Multiple Sclerosis: The Role of Disability Level, Coping Techniques, and Perceived Social Support.

Background: Being a parent can be demanding and stressful, especially for people with chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Parenting can be disrupted by flareups, disease worsening, and other MS symptoms, including mobility problems, pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, have been found to occur at much higher rates in people with MS than in the general population.

Evaluation of a program for training psychologists in an acceptance and commitment therapy resilience intervention for people with multiple sclerosis: a single-arm longitudinal design with a nested qualitative study.

Purpose: This single-arm longitudinal study evaluated the effectiveness of a program for training psychologists in delivering an acceptance and commitment therapy-based program (REsilience and Activities for every DaY; READY) for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Materials And Methods: The training encompassed three phases: (1) training workshop; (2) READY participation; (3) READY delivery to PwMS. Self-report data were collected immediately before the workshop, before and after participation in READY, and at 3- and 15-month follow-ups.

Predictors of clinically significant anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis: A one-year follow-up study.

Background: Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are frequent in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Although anxiety has a well-recognized negative influence on family, work and social life, it has received less attention than depression. Thus, it is still under debate which risk factors can predict anxiety, its evolution over time and the extent of its effect on disability progression.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis: A post-void residual analysis of 501 cases.

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), and can have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). Prevalence of LUTS in MS ranges from 32% to 96.8%, including storage or voiding symptoms or a combination of these.

The Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire Correlates with Fiber-Optic Endoscopic Examination for Detecting Swallowing Deficits in MS.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) refers to chronic inflammation of the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord. Assessing for the presence of dysphagia in subjects with MS represents a challenge for neurologists in clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to verify the relationship between DYMUS scores, a patient-reported scale, and objective symptoms using the Dysphagia Outcome Severity Score (DOSS), based on fiber-optic endoscopy.

A resilience group training program for people with multiple sclerosis: Results of a pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial and nested qualitative study.

Introduction: An Australian case series study demonstrated the effectiveness of the REsilience and Activities for every DaY for people with multiple sclerosis (READY for MS), a resilience group training program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, in improving quality of life in people with MS. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Italian READY for MS program, and to preliminary assess its efficacy when compared to an active control intervention (group relaxation).

Methods: Single-blind phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT) and nested qualitative study (ISRCTN registration number: 38971970).

The minimal neuropsychological assessment of MS patients (MACFIMS): normative data of the Italian population.

Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), and research has emphasized the crucial role of cognitive assessment in disease monitoring. The minimal neuropsychological assessment of MS (MACFIMS) represents one of the neuropsychological batteries most widely used throughout the world. To date, a complete validation, as well as normative values of an alternative form, is lacking in the Italian population, limiting the use of this tool in longitudinal assessment.

What factors influence feeling competent as a parent with multiple sclerosis?

Objective: To identify factors that influence the perception parents with multiple sclerosis have of their competence in parenting.

Method/design: Subjects were parents of a child with a maximum of 18 years of age recruited through a national multiple sclerosis organization's social media channels. Data on demographic and disease information, mood, coping, quality of life and perceived social support were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire.

Unmet needs influence health-related quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: People with MS are a heterogeneous population with varying difficulties and needs that are influenced by the individual experience of the disease, symptoms and disease course. The aim of the present study was to identify factors that influence health-related quality of life in a sample of subjects with MS, specifically health and social care-related needs and demographic and disease characteristics.

Methods: Individuals with a definite diagnosis of MS were identified through MS out-patient clinics and local branches of the Italian MS Society.

Conversion to Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Patient Awareness and Needs. Results From an Online Survey in Italy and Germany.

Few studies have investigated the experiences of patients around the conversion to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). ManTra is a mixed-method, co-production research project conducted in Italy and Germany to develop an intervention for newly-diagnosed SPMS patients. In previous project actions, we identified the needs and experiences of patients converting to SPMS via literature review and qualitative research which involved key stakeholders.

Disparity between perceived needs and service provision: a cross-sectional study of Italians with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Assessing the coverage by public or private resources in meeting health-related and social-related needs may be useful for service planning and guide optimization of care, important especially in view of an increase in the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: An ad hoc questionnaire assessed satisfaction of health-related and social care-related needs in a cross-sectional study of 1014 people with MS identified through MS outpatient clinics and local branches and social media channels of the Italian MS Society.

Results: 87.

A case-control study assessing parenting sense of competence in people with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To assess the parenting sense of competence in mothers and fathers with MS compared to a matched group of healthy parents and to evaluate whether illness features, mood, coping and social support influence parenting sense of competence in mothers and fathers with MS.

Method/design: Participants in both groups were parents with at least 1 child under 18 years of age. They completed an anonymous online questionnaire of scales on parenting sense of competence, health-related quality of life, coping, depression and anxiety, and perceived social support.

User testing as a method for evaluating subjects' understanding of informed consent in clinical trials in multiple sclerosis.

The Patient Information Sheet (PIS) is an important aspect of the consent process in a clinical trial that provides potential participants the necessary information for deciding whether to take part in a specific study and for understanding their rights pertaining to participation. User Testing was originally developed to assess how written information about medicinal products performs with its intended users. User testing has been proposed in a small number of clinical trials and has been able to identify subjects' ability or inability to find and understand important information related to providing a valid consent to participate.

Evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training for Psychologists Working with People with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is the most widely used and researched recent variant of cognitive behavioral therapy and has been shown to increase quality of life in people with chronic illnesses, including multiple sclerosis (MS). However, few MS health practitioners are trained in ACT. This study evaluated a 2-day ACT training workshop for Italian psychologists working with people with MS.

Managing the transition (ManTra): a resource for persons with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and their health professionals: protocol for a mixed-methods study in Italy.

Introduction: 15 years after clinical onset, about 50% of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis convert to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Notwithstanding the importance of this transition, knowledge of the experiences and needs of patients and carers is fragmentary, and targeted interventions are not available. Managing the Transition to SPMS (ManTra) is a mixed methodology project to develop and test a user-led resource for newly diagnosed patients with SPMS.

The impact of multiple sclerosis on the identity of mothers in Italy.

Purpose: This paper reports on one of the themes that emerged from the analysis of the study, regarding the perceived influence of multiple sclerosis (MS) on the identity of mothers in the socio-cultural context of Italy.

Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women at various stages of MS, with follow up interviews with seven of the women. Phenomenology guided the methodology and the analysis was conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

A survey study comparing young adults with MS and healthy controls on self-esteem, self-efficacy, mood and quality of life.

Background: Studies have shown that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) report low levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem, high levels of anxiety and depression and reduced quality of life. The study aims to assess self-esteem, self-efficacy, mood and quality of life in young adults with MS and to compare them to a healthy control group.

Methods: The age range for inclusion in the study was between 18 and 35years of age for both groups.

The impact of multiple sclerosis on family members: a review of the literature.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases in young adults and involves inflammatory demyelination of the CNS. MS typically manifests between 20 and 40 years of age, and can lead to significant disability in some cases. The disease course is unpredictable.

Pain and multiple sclerosis: pathophysiology and treatment.

Pain is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) and has recently been estimated to be experienced by up to 75 % of patients. Pain can be present at any point in the course of the disease and patients may experience pain from various causes simultaneously. Pain in MS can also be secondary to other symptoms, such as spasticity, fatigue, and mood disorder.

Management of pain in multiple sclerosis: a pharmacological approach.

About half of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) report pain; treatment for pain alone accounts for nearly 30% of the total use of medications for the management of all MS-related symptoms. Patients with MS can experience more than one type of pain simultaneously and at any point during the disease course, even in newly or recently diagnosed cases. Pain in MS can be associated with other symptoms, including spasticity, fatigue and mood disorder.

Pharmacological management of pain in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating, autoimmune disease of the CNS. There are currently a number of disease-modifying medications for MS that modulate or suppress the immune system; however, these medications do not directly relieve MS symptoms, which include visual deficits, gait problems, sensory deficits, weakness, tremor, spasticity and pain, among others. Pain is a common symptom in MS which has recently been estimated to be experienced by more than 40% of patients.

Manual wheelchair propulsion pattern use by people with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To determine the most commonly used manual wheelchair propulsion pattern by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to assess which factors influence the preference.

Method: Sixty manual wheelchair users with MS from an MS outpatient rehabilitation centre in Northern Italy were assessed on upper limb range of motion and trunk stability to determine if these factors or demographic, disease or wheelchair use history, influenced the choice of wheelchair propulsion pattern.

Results: Fifty-four (90%) subjects used the arcing propulsion pattern, the least efficient pattern as reported in the literature.

Pharmacological treatment of pain in multiple sclerosis.

Pain is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) and was recently estimated to be experienced by up to 75% of patients. Nociceptive and neuropathic pain in MS may be present concurrently and at different stages of the disease and may be associated with other symptoms. Evidence for treating pain in MS is limited.