Abstract
Objectives: Despite the importance of psychological acceptation and user-satisfaction, currently there is few evidence about patients opinions concerning lower limb (LL)-orthoses. The aim of this study was to collect the opinion about LL-orthoses in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS): 1) positive/negative aspects; 2) differences in wearing according to location; and 3) recommendations for future modifications.
Methods: To generate a maximum number of different opinions, focus group discussions were held until theoretical saturation. Audiotaped discussions were transcribed, quotes were coded and checked for recurrence. Next, all quotes were grouped together into subcategories and subcategories were categorized into main categories (Nvivo11).
Results: Three group-discussions were held with in total twenty PwMS with a prescribed LL-orthosis (50% females, mean age 53.9 year and mean EDSS-score 6.3). Patients state that a LL-orthosis improves functionality (gait function and performance of functional tasks) and reduces the risk of falling. They feel more secure and more confident when using the LL-orthosis. Some negative aspects were indicated like stigmatisation (e.g. not feeling welcome), physiological discomforts (e.g. pain and sweat), difficulties and duration of donning and doffing, and aesthetic aspects (e.g. combination with shoes and clothes). Several patients mentioned that they got not enough information or no correct information about the adaptability and use of the LL-orthosis. Opinions regarding differences in wearing the LL-orthosis according to location (e.g. in and outside the rehabilitation center) were diverse (e.g. on holiday never or more than usual, and at home mainly when tired or in a rush). Recommendations for future changes were more refined and firmer orthoses.
Conclusions: These opinions are interesting to consider in the process of design, construction and delivering of LL-orthoses. Future research should focus on the opinions concerning different types of LL-orthoses in relation with the severity of the limitations of the patients
Methods: To generate a maximum number of different opinions, focus group discussions were held until theoretical saturation. Audiotaped discussions were transcribed, quotes were coded and checked for recurrence. Next, all quotes were grouped together into subcategories and subcategories were categorized into main categories (Nvivo11).
Results: Three group-discussions were held with in total twenty PwMS with a prescribed LL-orthosis (50% females, mean age 53.9 year and mean EDSS-score 6.3). Patients state that a LL-orthosis improves functionality (gait function and performance of functional tasks) and reduces the risk of falling. They feel more secure and more confident when using the LL-orthosis. Some negative aspects were indicated like stigmatisation (e.g. not feeling welcome), physiological discomforts (e.g. pain and sweat), difficulties and duration of donning and doffing, and aesthetic aspects (e.g. combination with shoes and clothes). Several patients mentioned that they got not enough information or no correct information about the adaptability and use of the LL-orthosis. Opinions regarding differences in wearing the LL-orthosis according to location (e.g. in and outside the rehabilitation center) were diverse (e.g. on holiday never or more than usual, and at home mainly when tired or in a rush). Recommendations for future changes were more refined and firmer orthoses.
Conclusions: These opinions are interesting to consider in the process of design, construction and delivering of LL-orthoses. Future research should focus on the opinions concerning different types of LL-orthoses in relation with the severity of the limitations of the patients
| Original language | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | abstractbook WCNR 2018 Mumbai |
| Pages | 144-144 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
| Event | 10th World Congress for Neurorehabilitation - Mumbai, India Duration: 7 Feb 2018 → 10 Feb 2018 |
Conference
| Conference | 10th World Congress for Neurorehabilitation |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | India |
| City | Mumbai |
| Period | 7/02/18 → 10/02/18 |
Cite this
- APA
- Author
- BIBTEX
- Harvard
- Standard
- RIS
- Vancouver