Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation
From Impairment to Participation
Rehabilitation Science in Practice Series

"MS is always in the back of your mind. If there is something you want to do, you always wonder if the MS will allow you do to it."
?Darlene, living with MS for 22 years

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is challenging and multidimensional. MS pervades all aspects of life: one?s body becomes unpredictable and unreliable, one?s identity and sense of self are tested, and relationships with others often change. MS symptoms emerge and remit; limitations evolve and progress. MS rehabilitation is an active, person-centered, and goal-oriented process embedded within a respectful and collaborative partnership between the person with MS and the members of his or her rehabilitation treatment team.

Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a guiding framework, Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation: From Impairment to Participation provides a comprehensive and evidence-based resource to inform and guide clinical reasoning and decision making during each phase of the MS rehabilitation process, from initial referral to post-discharge follow-up. With an emphasis on the application of evidence throughout the entire MS rehabilitation process, the specific objectives of the book are to increase the understanding of:

• The nature and impact of specific impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions experienced by people with MS
• How to select and use valid, reliable, and relevant assessment tools to inform the development of rehabilitation goals and intervention plans, and to evaluate outcomes

This book provides information about the nature and impact of MS on the daily lives of people living with the disease, describes evidence-based assessment processes and instruments, and summarizes current knowledge that can inform goal setting and intervention planning. Thoughtful application of the knowledge contained in this book will inform and guide rehabilitation providers to work collaboratively with people with MS and enable them to achieve their goals for participation in everyday life.

Foundations: Introduction. Multiple Sclerosis Basics. Stories to Inform the Art of Rehabilitation Practice. An Overview of Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation. Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation for Impairments in Body Structure and Function: Fatigue. Balance Disorders. Muscle Strength, Tone, and Coordination. Cognition. Chronic Pain. Depression. Visual Impairments. Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation for Activity Limitations and Participation Restrictions: Communication. Mobility. Self-Care. Domestic Life. Employment. Physical Activity and Leisure. The Influence of Personal and Environmental Context on Multiple Sclerosis and Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation: Influences of Age and Sex. Other Health Concerns. Coping. Physical Environment. Caregiving. Cultural Considerations. Moving into the Future: Optimizing Rehabilitation Experiences.

Marcia Finlayson, PhD, OT (C), OTR/L is an occupational therapist and rehabilitation researcher who has dedicated her career to developing and sharing knowledge and resources that inform rehabilitation services for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Through her roles as a researcher, educator, volunteer and clinician, Dr. Finlayson’s goal is to enable people with MS and their family members to fully participate in everyday life despite the challenges of living with this disease.

Dr. Marcia Finlayson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.