Experiences of adjustment to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: a meta-ethnographic systematic review

Meek, Christopher; Topcu, Gogem; Moghaddam, Nima; das Nair, Roshan

Abstract

Purpose: To provide an overview of the experiences and needs of patients adjusting to life after receiving a diagnosis of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).

Method: We conducted a meta-ethnographic synthesis of qualitative studies on the experiences of transition to SPMS, based on a systematic literature search of CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. Identified studies were quality-appraised using a critical appraisal checklist, and individual findings synthesised inductively.

Results: The synthesis included 12 articles with 144 people with SPMS. Adjusting to SPMS transition encompassed a variety of reactions and coping strategies. Successful adjustment was associated with accepting and adapting coping strategies, and availability of social support and relationships. Clinical services increased uncertainty around adjustment where patients felt clinicians were not transparent with them about their changing diagnosis.

Conclusions: People adjust to SPMS in different ways, with the success of adjustment influenced by a patient’s primary coping mechanism. Coping mechanisms are determined by pre-existing individual differences, alongside engagement with, and quality of, social support networks and activities. Services should ensure that people are provided with informational support about their illness progression, and emotional support concerning coping strategies, social networks, and physical activity, as these are key determinants of successful adjustment.

Citation

Meek, C., Topcu, G., Moghaddam, N., & das Nair, R. (2021). Experiences of adjustment to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: a meta-ethnographic systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 43(22), 3135-3146. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1734105

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 20, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Mar 14, 2020
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 24, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 15, 2021
• Journal: Disability and Rehabilitation
• Print ISSN: 0963-8288
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-5165
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 22
• Pages: 3135-3146
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1734105
• Keywords: multiple sclerosis, secondary progressive, transition, adjustment, meta-synthesis, meta-ethnography
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4026954
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09638288.2020.1734105?scroll=top&needAccess=true&journalCode=idre20
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Disability and Rehabilitation on 14/03/2020, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/09638288.2020.1734105