Activities of Daily Living and Self-Care Agency in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis for the First 10 Years

Purpose: The aim of the study was to present the effects of the disease and analyze the relationship between activities of daily living (ADL) and self-care in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who have had the disease for the first 10 years. Design: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 67 patients who fit the inclusion criteria of the study and volunteered to participate were included in the sample. Data were collected using the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale and the Barthel Index. Findings: The mean age was 38.43 +/- 9.92. There was a statistically significant correlation between participants'educational backgrounds and self-care scores and between disease duration and Barthel index score (p < .05). Conclusions: The self-care levels of patients who have had MS for the first 10 years are medium, and they tend to be mildly dependent in performing their ADL. The duration of MS is positively correlated with level of ADL. Clinical Relevance: In this study, it was shown that the duration of the disease in MS patients should be taken into account by rehabilitation nurses to implement effective nursing care.