Innovative Complementary Cooling Intervention for Women's Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Quality of Life Research

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, including Uhthoff's phenomenon, are often exacerbated by heat, impacting daily functioning and quality of life for affected individuals.
• Heat intolerance is a significant challenge for women with MS, necessitating effective management strategies.
• Complementary therapies are increasingly explored to address symptom clusters in chronic neurological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between MS symptoms, perceived severity, Uhthoff's phenomenon frequency, and quality of life in women.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of complementary cooling therapy on symptom clusters in women with MS.
• To explore the lived experiences of women with MS using a specific cooling device (Opal Cool Wrap) for heat intolerance.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys (n=62) and qualitative semi-structured interviews (n=7).
• Surveys assessed perceived symptom severity and quality of life before and after cooling therapy.
• Interviews explored participants' experiences with heat intolerance and cooling interventions.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in perceived severity across health transition, physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, and social functioning post-cooling therapy.
• Qualitative findings revealed three key themes: the negative impact of overheating on quality of life, the utility of cool wraps for symptom management, and the importance of proactive cooling strategies.
• Uhthoff's phenomenon and heat-related symptom clusters are common and affect safety, independence, and overall health.

Conclusions:

• This study offers a comprehensive mixed-methods perspective on the challenges faced by women with MS, particularly concerning heat intolerance.
• Complementary cooling strategies, including devices and behavioral adjustments, are crucial for managing heat-related MS symptoms and improving quality of life.
• Identifying and implementing effective complementary therapies is a priority for enhancing the well-being and daily management of MS for women.