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Published on: January 29, 2016
Feasibility of Addressing the Spiritual Well-Being of Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Mixed-Methods Program
Melissa Ross Bowen1, Joan Augustyn2, Leah Fisher3
1Melissa Ross Bowen, MDiv, OTD, OTR/L, is Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, School of Occupational Therapy Assistant, Baptist Health College Little Rock, Little Rock, AR; melissa.bowen@baptist-health.org.
This study evaluated the feasibility of the Making Meaning occupational therapy intervention for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The intervention showed promise in improving spiritual well-being, supporting its potential for future research and application.
Area of Science:
- Occupational therapy
- Chronic illness management
- Spiritual well-being research
Background:
- Spiritual well-being is crucial for the quality of life in individuals with chronic illnesses like multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Research on interventions to enhance spiritual well-being in MS populations is limited, highlighting a gap in current healthcare practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of an occupational therapy group intervention designed to address the spiritual well-being of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
- To explore the potential of the 'Making Meaning' intervention in promoting spiritual health within the MS community.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods program evaluation was employed, utilizing theoretical thematic analysis for qualitative data.
- The study involved 42 participants with MS attending a community center, with 22 providing qualitative data and 10 meeting criteria for quantitative analysis.
- The 'Making Meaning' intervention consisted of eight weekly 45-minute sessions focused on integrating spiritual practices into daily life, with spiritual well-being measured by the FACIT-Sp-12 scale.
Main Results:
- Quantitative analysis revealed a moderate improvement in spiritual well-being scores (d = 0.41) among participants who completed the intervention.
- Attendance rates and qualitative feedback indicated that the 'Making Meaning' intervention is feasible and acceptable for people with MS.
- Participant data suggested specific areas for refining the intervention to further enhance its effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- The 'Making Meaning' group intervention is a feasible and promising approach for enhancing the spiritual well-being of individuals with multiple sclerosis.
- Findings support the need for further research to validate and optimize this occupational therapy intervention for the MS population.
- The study underscores the importance of addressing spiritual well-being as an integral component of holistic care for chronic illness management.
