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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
08:16
Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: March 4, 2014
Marital relationships in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Louise Atkins1, Richard G Brown, P Nigel Leigh
1Cancer Research UK Promoting Early Presentation Group, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Summary
Marital relationship quality for people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) remains stable post-diagnosis, but spouses report lower satisfaction than before the illness. Pre-illness relationship strength is key to maintaining marital quality.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) significantly impacts patients and their families.
- Marital relationships are crucial for support but can be strained by chronic illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in marital relationship quality over time for people with ALS (pwALS) and their spouse carers.
- To identify predictors of marital relationship quality in the context of ALS.
Main Methods:
- Fifty dyads (pwALS and spouse carers) completed assessments of marital intimacy, functional status, psychological status, and illness beliefs.
- Twenty-seven dyads underwent follow-up assessments at six-month intervals.
Main Results:
- Marital relationship quality did not change significantly over time post-ALS diagnosis for either pwALS or spouses.
- Spouse carers reported lower marital relationship quality compared to pre-illness.
- Psychosocial factors (functional impairment, personal relationship satisfaction, self-esteem, burden) predicted marital quality more than disease symptoms.
Conclusions:
- The quality of the marital relationship prior to ALS diagnosis is a significant predictor of ongoing marital quality.
- Psychosocial well-being and perceived burden are critical factors influencing marital relationship quality after ALS diagnosis, more so than physical disease progression.
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