Multiple Sclerosis: The Role of Occupational Therapy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease of an unknown cause but thought to be autoimmune-triggered by genetic or environmental factors (National Institute of Health, n.d.). An inflammatory process that occurs within the central nervous system (CNS) leads to multifocal demyelination and axonal loss, mostly in the white matter, although this can also occur in the grey matter of the spinal cord and brain (Gajofatto & Benedetti, 2015). According to Wallin et al. (2019), “MS is the most common chronic disabling disease of the central nervous system in young adults worldwide” (pp. e1030). MS is most common among young female adults; the ratio of female to male is 3:1 (Wallin et al., 2019). Although primarily a condition of young adulthood, it can be seen in children and those over 60 years of age (Gajofatto & Benedetti 2015). 

MS is most common among the White population. Patients with MS experience a variety of symptoms; it is often difficult to diagnosis because the disease’s symptoms frequently mimic other diseases. There are multiple types of MS that will be discussed in this course. A person’s occupational performance can vary depending on the type of MS that he/she is diagnosed with and how fast the disease progresses. Physical and occupational therapy practitioners play a key role in the treatment of individuals with MS; it is important for these rehabilitation professionals to understand this disease. This basic-level course will provide an overview to guide occupational and physical therapy practitioners when working with this population.