Occupational balance, quality of life, occupational performance, and disease-related factors in people with multiple sclerosis: A case–control study

Abstract

Importance Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological progressive disease that can lead to different impairments. It may also impact individuals' quality of life and daily living, including occupational performance and occupational balance. However, occupational balance has not been thoroughly described in this population.

Objective This study aimed to assess occupational balance in a sample of adults with multiple sclerosis, in comparison with a healthy control group.

Design A descriptive case–control study was carried out. Adults with multiple sclerosis were matched by sex and age with a healthy control group.

Setting The study was conducted in a community setting.

Participants A total of 122 participants (61 adults with mulitple sclerosis and 61 healthy controls) were included in this study.

Outcomes and Measures The following aspects were assessed: occupational balance, disease‐related factors including disability and symptom severity, occupational performance, and quality of life total score and visual analogue scale.

Consumer and Community Involvement Consumer and community members were not involved in the development or implementation of research or writing of this manuscript.

Results Both groups had similar occupational balance total scores (p = 0.05), except for two items where the multiple sclerosis group rated lower on ‘balance between obligatory/voluntary occupations’ (p = 0.002) and ‘balance between energy‐giving/energy‐taking occupations’ (p = 0.01). A negative relationship was found between low disease severity and high occupational balance and between high health‐related quality of life, high occupational performance, and high occupational balance.

Conclusions and Relevance No differences between groups were found in OB, but the MS group experienced more problems with some items. Adults living with multiple sclerosis for many years may adapt by altering their roles, routines, and daily priorities, which may explain why occupational balance was similar between the groups. Occupational balance is a core concept related to all the measures in this study and is thus important to address.