Perceptions of Therapeutic Climbing for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Study
Background: Therapeutic climbing (TC) has emerged as a prospective rehabilitation approach for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The existing literature primarily focuses on the physical and psychological benefits of TC across diverse populations but is limited concerning its application and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/6/674 |
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| author | Tobias Schiffler Eva Reiter Ali Kapan Gottfried Kranz Stefan Thomas Kotzian Sandra Haider |
| author_facet | Tobias Schiffler Eva Reiter Ali Kapan Gottfried Kranz Stefan Thomas Kotzian Sandra Haider |
| author_sort | Tobias Schiffler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Therapeutic climbing (TC) has emerged as a prospective rehabilitation approach for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The existing literature primarily focuses on the physical and psychological benefits of TC across diverse populations but is limited concerning its application and efficacy for patients with MS. Objectives: This study aimed to delineate the experiences, subjective effects, and perceptions of both individuals with MS and therapists regarding TC, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of this therapeutic approach. Methods: Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients living with MS (N = 5) and therapists (N = 7) involved in TC sessions at a rehabilitation facility. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic qualitative text analysis. Results: Our analysis resulted in the identification of five main categories: (1) motivational factors, (2) training conditions, (3) training content, (4) observed effects, and (5) safety protocol. Our findings primarily centred around the motivational aspects of TC. Participants consistently reported experiencing feelings of accomplishment, success, enjoyment, and increased self-confidence. Furthermore, TC was often perceived as a comprehensive intervention, addressing endurance, strength, flexibility, neuromotor functions, cognition, and mental health while having a low-risk profile. However, due to the demanding nature of TC, careful fatigue management is crucial. This entails personalised intensity adjustments during sessions and coordinating TC with other physically demanding therapies when implementing TC within a rehabilitation environment. Conclusions: TC shows promise within MS rehabilitation and can be considered safe under certain framework conditions. This research sheds light on its potential benefits, facilitators, and barriers and provides insights for practical integration into rehabilitation programs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:13:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b74830619ba44d4b9a3eee28fdab9d83 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:13:50Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-b74830619ba44d4b9a3eee28fdab9d832024-03-27T13:43:48ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322024-03-0112667410.3390/healthcare12060674Perceptions of Therapeutic Climbing for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative StudyTobias Schiffler0Eva Reiter1Ali Kapan2Gottfried Kranz3Stefan Thomas Kotzian4Sandra Haider5Center for Public Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15/1, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDepartment for Clinical Neurosciences and Preventive Medicine, University for Continuing Education Krems, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems, AustriaCenter for Public Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15/1, 1090 Vienna, AustriaNeurological Rehabilitation Center Rosenhügel, Rosenhügelstraße 192a, 1130 Vienna, AustriaNeurological Rehabilitation Center Rosenhügel, Rosenhügelstraße 192a, 1130 Vienna, AustriaCenter for Public Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15/1, 1090 Vienna, AustriaBackground: Therapeutic climbing (TC) has emerged as a prospective rehabilitation approach for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The existing literature primarily focuses on the physical and psychological benefits of TC across diverse populations but is limited concerning its application and efficacy for patients with MS. Objectives: This study aimed to delineate the experiences, subjective effects, and perceptions of both individuals with MS and therapists regarding TC, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of this therapeutic approach. Methods: Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients living with MS (N = 5) and therapists (N = 7) involved in TC sessions at a rehabilitation facility. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic qualitative text analysis. Results: Our analysis resulted in the identification of five main categories: (1) motivational factors, (2) training conditions, (3) training content, (4) observed effects, and (5) safety protocol. Our findings primarily centred around the motivational aspects of TC. Participants consistently reported experiencing feelings of accomplishment, success, enjoyment, and increased self-confidence. Furthermore, TC was often perceived as a comprehensive intervention, addressing endurance, strength, flexibility, neuromotor functions, cognition, and mental health while having a low-risk profile. However, due to the demanding nature of TC, careful fatigue management is crucial. This entails personalised intensity adjustments during sessions and coordinating TC with other physically demanding therapies when implementing TC within a rehabilitation environment. Conclusions: TC shows promise within MS rehabilitation and can be considered safe under certain framework conditions. This research sheds light on its potential benefits, facilitators, and barriers and provides insights for practical integration into rehabilitation programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/6/674multiple sclerosistherapeutic climbingmotivationtraining conditionsneurorehabilitationqualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Tobias Schiffler Eva Reiter Ali Kapan Gottfried Kranz Stefan Thomas Kotzian Sandra Haider Perceptions of Therapeutic Climbing for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Study Healthcare multiple sclerosis therapeutic climbing motivation training conditions neurorehabilitation qualitative research |
| title | Perceptions of Therapeutic Climbing for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Perceptions of Therapeutic Climbing for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Perceptions of Therapeutic Climbing for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceptions of Therapeutic Climbing for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Perceptions of Therapeutic Climbing for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | perceptions of therapeutic climbing for patients with multiple sclerosis in neurorehabilitation a qualitative study |
| topic | multiple sclerosis therapeutic climbing motivation training conditions neurorehabilitation qualitative research |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/6/674 |
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