The activities and participation categories of the ICF Core Sets for multiple sclerosis from the patient perspective

To validate the activities and participation components of The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

In this cross-sectional study, 113 Finnish community-dwelling persons with MS were assessed using a semi-structured interview provided by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to capture participants' self-perceived problems in everyday activities and participation. Problems were linked to the ICF categories.

Participants identified 527 of the most important occupational performance problems. They covered all chapters of the ICF Activities and Participation components. Forty-one categories out of a total 53 ICF activities and participation categories of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set and four out of five categories of the Brief ICF Core Set were reported on by the participants. The most common category in this sample, 'd920 Recreation and leisure' (145 problems/27.5%), is not included in the Brief ICF Core Set.

Most, but not all, ICF activities and participation categories of the ICF Core Sets for MS could be confirmed from the perspective of persons with MS. It is worth considering to add category 'd920 Recreation and leisure' to the Brief ICF Core Set.