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The Mindful Body: A Phenomenology of the Body With Multiple Sclerosis

Hanneke van der Meide1,2, Truus Teunissen3, Pascal Collard2

  • 11 Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands.

Qualitative Health Research
|September 11, 2018
PubMed

Insights

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience their bodies in unique ways, oscillating between uncertainty and mindfulness. Focusing on the body can foster well-being, suggesting healthcare should support positive body appearance.

Area of Science:

  • Phenomenology
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Research
  • Body Experience Studies

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) profoundly impacts individuals' relationship with their bodies.
  • The lived experience of MS often involves a shift from taking the body for granted to experiencing it as an insistent presence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted body experience of individuals with MS.
  • To identify key dimensions of bodily experience in the context of chronic illness.
  • To inform healthcare approaches for supporting individuals with MS.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative analysis of lived experiences.
  • Phenomenological exploration of body awareness and adaptation in MS.
  • Identification of experiential dimensions: bodily uncertainty, precious body, different body, mindful body.

Main Results:

  • Individuals with MS navigate an oscillation between four dimensions: bodily uncertainty, a precious body, being a different body, and the mindful body.
  • Adaptive responses and permanent bodily alertness are common.
  • Focusing attention on the body can cultivate well-being and temporarily mitigate negative MS effects.

Conclusions:

  • The body's presence in MS does not inherently lead to alienation or discomfort.
  • Healthcare should aim to support positive body appearance ('eu-appearance') rather than bodily disappearance.
  • Interventions can leverage mindful attention to the body to enhance well-being in chronic illness.
Keywords:
embodimentinterviewlived experiencesmultiple-sclerosisphenomenologyqualitativethe Netherlands

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