Abstract
Purpose
COB-MS is an eight-session, Cognitive Occupation-Based programme for people with both MS and cognitive difficulty – designed to enhance cognition and daily functioning, through a combination of goal-setting, cognitive strategy engagement, group activities, home-practice activities and one-on-one sessions. This research aims to investigate the acceptability of COB-MS from the perspective of people living with MS, as well as the occupational therapists who facilitated the programme.
Materials and methods
Two content analyses were conducted on interview data from (n = 11) COB-MS participants and (n = 8) COB-MS facilitators. Thematic analysis was also conducted on the participant interview data.
Results
Through a, primary, content analysis, participants reported that the COB-MS provided both a positive experience and quality resources. Qualitative improvement and utilisation of their learning beyond completion of the intervention were also identified. Four themes were identified via, secondary, thematic analysis: (1) Group interaction within COB-MS was vital; (2) Online COB-MS had positive and negative effects on participation; (3) COB-MS as a provider of clarity; and (4) Using learned strategies after the completion of COB-MS. Recommendations for future administration are provided.
Conclusions
Findings suggest COB-MS acceptability, as well as appropriateness and feasibility, indicative of progression to a definitive trial in future research.
Trial registration
ISRCTN: ISRCTN11462710. Registered on 9 September 2019.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Cognitive difficulties associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) impact on daily life activities and are considered invisible MS symptoms. This invisibility and the lack of acknowledgement of such symptoms often adds to the distress experienced by people with MS.
Occupational therapists are well-placed to address the daily-life impacts of cognitive difficulties in MS.
The COB-MS is an occupation-focused intervention that aims to enhance daily function.
The intervention was found to be well-accepted well by people with MS and occupational therapists and can feasibly be delivered in clinical practice.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to all of the occupational therapists who completed COB-MS training and delivered the COB-MS intervention in an extremely challenging clinical year. Your time, effort and dedication will be forever appreciated.
Ethical approval
Ethical approval was awarded by Galway University Hospitals on 13.08.2019 Ref C. A 2231.
Disclosure statement
The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.
Data availability
The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in Irish Qualitative Data Archive at: https://repository.dri.ie/catalog/z6044q59n, “A Cognitive Occupation Based programme for People with Multiple Sclerosis qualitative feasibility data” at doi: 10.7486/DRI.z6044q59n.
Notes
1 This sample is representative of occupational therapists in Ireland.
2 NB: the manual had been previously been cross-checked in an iterative process by both researchers and multiple members of the PPI panel [see 21].