The lived experience of physical exertion for persons with advanced multiple sclerosis: making connections with the world

Victoria Bassett, Clair Hebron

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Purpose
    To explore the lived experience of physical exertion for persons living with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS)

    Method
    An interpretive (hermeneutic) phenomenological approach was undertaken with 8 persons living with advanced MS. Interviews were conducted with exploratory questions that explored participants’ experiences of physical exertion. Data was analysed using phenomenological methods and the findings presented as hermeneutic stories.

    Results
    Participants conveyed physical exertion as a means of influencing their connection with the world. Interpretation identified four subthemes; Lived Body, Sense of Self, Purpose of exertion, and Attributes of the World and an overarching superordinate theme Body-World engagement. Hermeneutic stories illuminated the intertwined relationship between the themes and the idiographic nature of physical exertion.

    Conclusion
    The experience of physical exertion was meaningfully related to participants’ sense of self, agency, and ‘being in the world’.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)3609-3619
    Number of pages11
    JournalDisability and Rehabilitation
    Volume46
    Issue number16
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 4 Sept 2023

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

    Keywords

    • interpretive phenomenology
    • physical exertion
    • lived experience
    • advanced multiple sclerosis
    • hermeneutic stories
    • embodiment
    • identity

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