Date Presented 04/03/2025
The findings of this thematic synthesis of 25 articles reveal 10 actionable themes related to enhancing holistic care and improving the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) by addressing aspects of sexuality and intimacy.
Primary Author and Speaker: Beth Ann Walker
Additional Authors and Speakers: Erica Atkinson, Ashten Busscher, Cheyana Crossman, Sarah Pardue, Hayley Taylor
PURPOSE: To determine implications for occupational therapy practice related to addressing sexuality and intimacy in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition affecting 2.3 million people globally (Sedighi, 2023). Sexuality and intimacy issues in MS are often underdiagnosed due to reluctance from both professionals and patients (Tabassum, 2022).
DESIGN AND METHOD: A thematic synthesis of the literature was conducted to identify practice implications for occupational therapy practitioners. EBSCOhost and Google Scholar were used to search for literature and 25 articles met inclusion criteria. Implications from each article were highlighted, verified by the research group and instructor, extracted, and then analyzed using Claude.AI to identify themes. Redundant implications were eliminated, and similar themes were consolidated. The themes were verified by the team and confirmed by the research instructor/expert in this field of study. The analysis yielded ten action themes for addressing sexuality and intimacy in individuals with MS: Create a holistic and therapeutic environment; Screen for sexual and intimacy issues as part of routine care; Take an interdisciplinary approach to treating the diverse factors impacting sexuality and intimacy; Use established therapeutic models to address sexuality and intimacy concerns; Address related physical and psychological factors; Engage patients and partners in treatment; Provide education and advice on sexual health; Consider the use of assistive devices and aids; Conduct further research; & Address knowledge gaps among healthcare providers. This study highlights the critical need for OTs to implement these identified implications when addressing sexuality and intimacy in individuals with MS. Incorporating these action items into practice will enhance holistic care and improve the quality of life for this population. Students learned skills for EBP and how to effectively address sexuality and intimacy in OT.
References
Sedighi, B., Abedini Parizi, M., Haghdoost, A. A., Jangipour Afshar, P., Shoraka, H. R., & Jafari, S. (2023). How does multiple sclerosis affect sexual satisfaction in patients’ spouses?. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1110884
Tabassum, K., Fox, J., Fuller, S., & Hynes, S. M. (2022). Dating with a Diagnosis: The Lived Experience of People with Multiple Sclerosis. Sexuality & Disability, 40(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-021-09698-9
Yılmaz, S. D., Gumus, H., Odabas, F. O., Akkurt, H. E., & Yılmaz, H. (2017). Sexual Life of Women with Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Sexual Health, 29(2), 147–154. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2016.1259705
Anthropic. (2023), Claude 2 (July, 2023 version) [Large language model]. https://claude.ai/chats
