Research Information System
1st International Neuronal Energy Dynamics Congress, Ankara, Turkey, 26 - 28 November 2025, (Summary Text)
Nurses' therapeutic approaches to patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) center on a multidisciplinary team-based care model due to the complex nature of the disease. MS nurses/nurse practitioners, along with neurologists, are part of the core team, playing a keyrole in managing acute relapses and symptoms, monitoring disease-modifying therapies(DMTs), and providing rehabilitation and education.
Nurses aim to address patients' psychosocial and emotional challenges. Interventions shouldbe planned to reduce intolerance to uncertainty, which increases symptom severity andreduces self-management. They should also develop interventions for alexithymia, a condition characterized by difficulty recognizing and expressing emotions, and integratepositive coping strategies and positive psychological strategies, such as subjective well-being, life satisfaction, and happiness, into their care plans.
In the context of physical symptom management, relaxation techniques are recommended as a nonpharmacological method for disabling symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and kinesiophobia(fear of movement). These techniques (Progressive Muscle Relaxation and BensonRelaxation) are practical and have no side effects, but Progressive Muscle Relaxation has been found to be more effective. Nurses also use mnemonic techniques to support clinicians' recall ability to support medication management.
In rehabilitation approaches, clinicians, including MS specialist nurses, have a positive outlook on the use of Virtual Reality (VR) for upper extremity (UL) rehabilitation. VR can encourage long-term participation by offering an engaging and discreet approach to exercise. Nurses recommend that VR games include purposeful activity, be applicable to real-life situations, and provide feedback to monitor progress. These multifaceted approaches are vital to meeting the complex care needs of MS patients.