Effectiveness of a community-based physiotherapy rehabilitation programme for Multiple Sclerosis patients in Sri Lanka

Sanduni Thakshila Yamangei, Enoka Corea, Ashan Wijekoon, GAD Perera, DGSKL Jayawardana
Purpose:

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based physiotherapy rehabilitation programme for MS patients in Sri Lanka.

Methods:

Twenty-eight (28) MS patients from different regions of Sri Lanka who are registered as members of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of Lanka were recruited for the study. Each of them was allocated to a professionally qualified physiotherapist to arrange individually customised physiotherapy sessions over a three-month period based on physical assessment in the first session. A one-hour physiotherapy session per week per patient was implemented. At the end of the treatment program, a semi-structured interview was done with each patient and/or caregiver to assess their perception of the usefulness and effectiveness of the physiotherapy treatment programme. The questions were prepared based on relevant literature and with the support of an expert. The interviews were digitally recorded and memos were made immediately after the interview. These were later transcribed verbatim, and translated to English. Finally, the transcripts were prepared. Data were analyzed by sub-categorized and then categorized into different themes till the saturation limit. 

Results:

Out of 28 MS patients four were moderately disabled and dependent on their caregivers. The rest of the patients were able to complete their day-to-day activities by themselves. But most of them (86%) were unmarried and unemployed Most of the patients expressed that with home-based physiotherapy sessions, they felt that they were secure to have an independent lifestyle, engaging in an exercise program with coaching by a physiotherapist was interesting and they have received mind peace as they could share their physical difficulties with a physiotherapist and set goals to overcome those. Patients and caregivers had positive attitudes toward the home-based physiotherapy program as they could receive the right guidance to support needy individuals. The themes were appropriateness, concern for the patient, privacy issues, concern for the patient’s comfort and thoroughness of the physical examination.

Conclusion(s):

A community-based physical rehabilitation program for Multiple Sclerosis patients is a feasible and effective strategy to uplift the quality of life of MS patients.

Implications:

Involvement of physical therapists in community-based physical rehabilitation programs for MS patients will be encouraged in Sri Lanka.

Funding acknowledgements:
Multiple Sclerosis Association of Lanka was acknowledged.
Keywords:
Multiple sclerosis
Community Based Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy
Primary topic:
Neurology: multiple sclerosis
Second topic:
Community based rehabilitation
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Provide the ethics approval number:
EC-19-107
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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