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Living
with Multiple Sclerosis: Strategies to Enhance
Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Well-Being
A
Free CME Dinner Meeting
Monday, November 17, 2008
6:00 PM
– Registration
6:30 PM –
Dinner and Lecture
The
Metropolitan Club
1210 Boylston St
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Phone: 617-731-0600
Needs
Statement
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating,
degenerative central nervoussystem disorder1
with an unpredictable course2 that is often
progressive and debilitating. Individuals with MS
experience varying combinations of symptoms, which
may interfere with many aspects of functioning. MS
often disrupts relationships, daily activities, education,
and employment, and is associated with reduced quality
of life.1,3 In addition to the common sensory
and motor symptoms, individuals with MS often experience
fatigue, cognitive impairment, and psychological and
psychiatricdisturbances, such as depression.1,2
The relationship between MS and psychological disorders
is complex; it remains unclear whether such symptoms
are reactive to the disease or result from the pathological
process itself.2 While cognitive deficits
are estimated to occur in up to 70% of patients throughout
the course of the disease, evidence suggests these
deficits may be present early in the disease, even
before the diagnosis of MS is confirmed.4
Additional factors that may contribute to disturbed
quality of life include disagreeable side effects
of medications and constant feelings of uncertainty
about the possibility of relapse.2 Evidence
suggests that the impairments in quality of life experienced
by patients with MS tend to correlate with disease
severity and may improve with disease-modifying therapy.3
Additional therapeutic strategies include psychotherapy,
cognitive behavioral therapy, coping skills training,
and medications that address co-occurring symptoms.2
In light of the wide range of symptoms associated
with MS, their impact on psychosocial and physical
functioning, and the potential to improve quality
of life through treatment, an integrated, focused
approach to providing individualized therapy for patients
living with MS is critical.
Featured
Faculty
David Rintell, EdD
Partners MS Center at Brigham & Women’s
Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
Lynn Stazzone, RN, MSN,
NP
Partners MS Center at Brigham & Women’s
Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
Target
Audience
The target audience for this activity
is clinical nurses and nurse practitioners who manage
patients with MS.
Educational
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participants should
be able to:
- Recognize common corollaries
of MS that may affect quality of life
- Examine evidence regarding the
impact of various interventions on quality of life
in patients with MS
- Identify patient-centered strategies
for managing MS symptoms and minimizing physical,
psychological, and cognitive disability
- Discuss techniques to help patients
adapt to living with MS
Credit
Statement
The Center for Health Care Education, LLC, (CHCE)
is approved as a provider of continuing
nursing education by the North Carolina Nurses Association,
an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing
Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity
is available for up to 2.0 Continuing Nursing Education
(CNE) Contact Hours.
References
- Wynia K, Middel B, van Dijik
JP, De Keyser JHA, Reijneveld SA. The impact of
disabilities on quality of life in people with multiple
sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2008;14:972-980.
- Sá MJ. Psychological aspects
of multiple sclerosis. Clin Neurol Neurosurg.
2008;110:868-877.
- Rudick RA, Miller D, Hass S,
et al. Health-related quality of life in multiple
sclerosis: effects of natalizumab. Ann Neurol.
2007;62:335-346.
- Simioni S, Ruffieux C, Bruggimann
L, Annoni JM, Schluep M. Cognition, mood and fatigue
in patients in the early stage of multiple sclerosis.
Swiss Med Wkly. 2007;137:496-501.
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