TY - GEN AB - Purpose : This study investigated the perceptions and experiences of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) regarding a home-based balance exercises program, focusing on its practicality and perceived effects for daily management and the factors influencing its implementation. Materials and Methods : Employing a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 patients with MS in Switzerland (13 women, 5 men; mean age 53 ± 11 years). The study used purposive sampling to ensure diverse representations. The exercise program included 19 tailored exercises, adapted by physiotherapists for each participant. Data analysis involved inductive thematic analysis to understand the practical implementation, challenges, and perceived benefits. Results : Key themes emerged, such as adaptability of exercises, implementation variability, approaches to integration, facilitators, obstacles, and perceived effects. Adaptability to fluctuating symptoms, individual lifestyle impacts, and variability in exercise practices were notable. Facilitators included personalized support from physiotherapists, while obstacles ranged from fatigue to complex exercise variants. Perceived effects varied, with some patients reporting physical and psychological benefits. Conclusions : The study highlights diverse patient experiences with the balance exercises program. Key challenges included physical exertion and adapting to MS symptoms. Physiotherapists played a pivotal role in personalization and guidance. Despite challenges, patients demonstrated adaptability and proactive integration of exercises into their MS management. AD - HESAV School of Health Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland AD - HESAV School of Health Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland AD - School of Health Sciences, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Loèche-les-Bains, Switzerland AD - Physiotherapie Tschopp & Hilfiker, Glis, Switzerland AD - HESAV School of Health Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland AU - Opsommer, Emmanuelle AU - Ribeiro, Carla AU - Carrard, Sophie AU - Hilfiker, Roger AU - Mbarga, Josiane CY - London DA - 2024-12 DO - 10.1080/09638288.2024.2435519 DO - DOI ID - 15151 JF - Disability and rehabilitation KW - multiple sclerosis KW - balance KW - home-based exercises KW - rehabilitation KW - qualitative research KW - semi-structured interviews L1 - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15151/files/Opsommer_2024_exploring_the_integration_and_patient_engagement.pdf L2 - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15151/files/Opsommer_2024_exploring_the_integration_and_patient_engagement.pdf L4 - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15151/files/Opsommer_2024_exploring_the_integration_and_patient_engagement.pdf LA - eng LK - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15151/files/Opsommer_2024_exploring_the_integration_and_patient_engagement.pdf LK - https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.27960225.v1 N2 - Purpose : This study investigated the perceptions and experiences of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) regarding a home-based balance exercises program, focusing on its practicality and perceived effects for daily management and the factors influencing its implementation. Materials and Methods : Employing a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 patients with MS in Switzerland (13 women, 5 men; mean age 53 ± 11 years). The study used purposive sampling to ensure diverse representations. The exercise program included 19 tailored exercises, adapted by physiotherapists for each participant. Data analysis involved inductive thematic analysis to understand the practical implementation, challenges, and perceived benefits. Results : Key themes emerged, such as adaptability of exercises, implementation variability, approaches to integration, facilitators, obstacles, and perceived effects. Adaptability to fluctuating symptoms, individual lifestyle impacts, and variability in exercise practices were notable. Facilitators included personalized support from physiotherapists, while obstacles ranged from fatigue to complex exercise variants. Perceived effects varied, with some patients reporting physical and psychological benefits. Conclusions : The study highlights diverse patient experiences with the balance exercises program. Key challenges included physical exertion and adapting to MS symptoms. Physiotherapists played a pivotal role in personalization and guidance. Despite challenges, patients demonstrated adaptability and proactive integration of exercises into their MS management. PB - Taylor & Francis PP - London PY - 2024-12 SN - 0963-8288 T1 - Exploring the integration and patient engagement of balance home exercises in the daily management of multiple sclerosis :a comprehensive qualitative analysis TI - Exploring the integration and patient engagement of balance home exercises in the daily management of multiple sclerosis :a comprehensive qualitative analysis UR - https://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/15151/files/Opsommer_2024_exploring_the_integration_and_patient_engagement.pdf UR - https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.27960225.v1 VL - To be published Y1 - 2024-12 ER -