Perspective and Experiences of Iranian People With Multiple Sclerosis Regarding Leisure: A Qualitative Study

Multiple Sclerosis, as a progressive disease, influences most of occupational performance areas. This study was conducted to describe the perspectives and experiences regarding leisure of people with multiple sclerosis in Ahvaz city, Iran. The study was a descriptive phenomenological study using purposeful sampling. Data saturation was achieved with 11 participants. It involved secondary analysis of in-depth transcribed nonstructural interview data using Colaizzi's method. Four themes emerged from the analysis of 9 subthemes under the main domain of the perspectives and experiences of people with MS regarding leisure. Participants noted the importance and aims of leisure, with physical and mental performance subthemes. They mentioned their style of spending leisure time, which was categorized into individual and group style subthemes. They also noted leisure obstacles with individual, social, and environmental barrier subthemes. The participants mentioned leisure suggestions, which were categorized into the subthemes of personal and society roles towards leisure improvement. The findings showed that leisure was affected as a result of limitations in both physical and mental performance in people with MS. Participants in this study expressed the importance of different aspects of leisure. It was shown that these people were spending their leisure time in the form of individual and group activities, but that they are faced with various barriers, including personal, social, and environmental ones. They require more attention to be given to their leisure time, and emphasized the role of both the individual and the community in improving their leisure time. Clinicians must consider the importance of leisure participation, which has effects on quality of life, and consider leisure in evaluations and interventions for people with MS