Articles - Social Sciencehttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/24422024-03-28T13:11:04Z2024-03-28T13:11:04ZAssessment and management of cognitive and psychosocial difficulties for people with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland: A national survey of clinical practiceHynes, SinéadO'Keeffe, FiadhnaitBane, EimearOglesby, Megan H.Dwyer, Christopher P.Joyce, RobertKlein, Olga A.https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/43202022-11-23T03:00:47Z2022-10-21T00:00:00ZAssessment and management of cognitive and psychosocial difficulties for people with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland: A national survey of clinical practice
Hynes, Sinéad; O'Keeffe, Fiadhnait; Bane, Eimear; Oglesby, Megan H.; Dwyer, Christopher P.; Joyce, Robert; Klein, Olga A.
. A recent survey of 109 healthcare professionals explored how UK healthcare professionals typically assess and treat
multiple sclerosis (MS)-related cognitive impairment. Little is currently known about what constitutes usual care for cognitive
impairment and psychosocial care for people with MS in Ireland. Aim. 'e aim of the current research was to survey healthcare
professionals (HCPs) who work with people with MS, to understand current assessment and management of cognition and
psychosocial care in people with MS in the Republic of Ireland. Methods. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were
collected online through Microsoft forms and through postal responses. 'e original UK questionnaire was adapted, piloted, and
distributed to Irish HCPs. Participants were qualified HCPs who work clinically with people with MS in the Republic of Ireland.
Results. Ninety-eight HCPs completed the survey. Only 34% of those surveyed reported routine screening of cognition for people
with MS within their services; approximately, 36% HCPs reported that they did not provide information or services in relation to
cognition to people with MS and 39% reported not referring elsewhere when cognitive difficulties were suspected. Out of the 98
HCPs, 47% reported assessing mood difficulties as part of their services, with 14% unsure. In total, 70% of participants reported
onward referral took place if mood difficulties were identified. 'e Montreal Cognitive Assessment was the most commonly
administrated cognitive assessment. Cognitive intervention choices were found to be guided by clinical judgement in 75.5% of
cases. Discussion. Despite the high importance placed on cognitive and psychosocial care, there is very little consistency in
treatment and assessment across services for people with MS in Ireland.
2022-10-21T00:00:00ZExploring the impact of ineligibility on individuals expressing interest in a trial aimed at improving daily functioning regarding perceptions of self, research and likelihood of future participation.Dwyer, Christopher P.McAneney, HelenRogers, FionnualaJoyce, RobertHynes, Sinéad M.https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/39802022-05-20T16:52:33Z2021-11-27T00:00:00ZExploring the impact of ineligibility on individuals expressing interest in a trial aimed at improving daily functioning regarding perceptions of self, research and likelihood of future participation.
Dwyer, Christopher P.; McAneney, Helen; Rogers, Fionnuala; Joyce, Robert; Hynes, Sinéad M.
Background: Eligibility guidelines in research trials are necessary to minimise confounds and reduce bias in the
interpretation of potential treatment effects. There is limited extant research investigating how being deemed ineligible
for such trials might impact patients’ perceptions of themselves and of research. Better understanding of the
impact of patient ineligibility could enhance design and implementation of future research studies.
Methods: Eight semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted to explore the impact of ineligibility on selfperceptions;
perceptions regarding the nature of research; and the likelihood of expressing interest in future research.
Data were collected and analysed thematically through inductive, interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA).
Results: Five themes emerged regarding the experience of being deemed ineligible: (1) Being deemed ineligible is
emotion and reaction evoking; (2) ‘Doing your bit’: Helping others and increasing the value of research; (3) Communication
of ineligibility; (4) Appreciation for those who express interest; and (5) Subsequent perceptions and attitudes
towards research.
Conclusions: The results suggest that being deemed ineligible can elicit negative emotional outcomes but is not
likely to change perceptions of or attitudes towards research, possibly due to a desire to help similar others. Ineligibility
can impact future participation in some cases, thus reducing the recruitment pool for subsequent research studies.
Recommendations are provided to help minimise this risk. Advising of ineligibility in a personal way is recommended:
with enhanced clarity regarding the reasoning behind the decision; providing opportunities to ask questions; and
ensuring that appreciation for the patient’s time and interest are communicated.
2021-11-27T00:00:00ZRemote administration of BICAMS measures and the trail-making test to assess cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosisRogers, FionnualaBane, EimearDwyer, Christopher P.Alvarez-Iglesias, AlbertoJoyce, Robert A.Hynes, Sinéadhttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/39732022-05-20T16:52:24Z2022-03-17T00:00:00ZRemote administration of BICAMS measures and the trail-making test to assess cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis
Rogers, Fionnuala; Bane, Eimear; Dwyer, Christopher P.; Alvarez-Iglesias, Alberto; Joyce, Robert A.; Hynes, Sinéad
Reliable remote cognitive testing could provide a safer
assessment of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis
(MS) during the COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter. Here
we aimed to investigate the reliability and feasibility of
administering Brief International Cognitive Assessment for
MS (BICAMS) and the Trail-Making Test (TMT) to people
with MS online. Between-group differences on BICAMS and
the TMT were examined in a sample of 68 participants.
Group 1 (N = 34) was tested in-person pre-pandemic. Group
2 was tested remotely. Within-group differences for inperson and virtual administrations were examined for
Group 1. No significant differences between virtual and inperson administrations of the CVLT-II and SDMT were
detected. BVMT-R scores were significantly higher for
virtual administrations (M = 20.59, SD = 6.65) compared to
in-person administrations (M = 16.35, SD = 6.05), possibly
indicating inter-rater differences. Strong positive
correlations were found for in-person and virtual scores
within Group 1 on the CVLT-II (r=.84), SDMT (r = .85), TMTA (r = .88), TMT-B (r = .76) and BVMT-R (r = .72). No
significant differences between in-person and remote
administrations of CVLT-II and SDMT in people living with
MS were detected. Recommendations for future studies
employing the TMT and BVMT-R online are provided.
2022-03-17T00:00:00ZA systematic review of training methods to increase staff's knowledge and implementation of positive behaviour support in residential and day settings for individuals with intellectual disabilitiesMahon, DearbaileWalsh, EdithHolloway, JenniferLydon, Helenahttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/36742022-05-20T16:35:30Z2021-07-05T00:00:00ZA systematic review of training methods to increase staff's knowledge and implementation of positive behaviour support in residential and day settings for individuals with intellectual disabilities
Mahon, Dearbaile; Walsh, Edith; Holloway, Jennifer; Lydon, Helena
Behaviour support plans (BSPs), if accurately implemented, have been found to increase skills and decrease challenging behaviour of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Training is essential for staff to acquire the skills necessary for accurate implementation. The aim of this systematic literature review was to evaluate procedures used to train staff in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), on both knowledge of PBS and implementation of BSPs. Systematic searches of 4 databases identified 18 studies as meeting criteria. Findings indicate that description alone was not consistently effective in increasing knowledge and should be used in combination with other training strategies. Staff’s implementation of BSPs were increased by different combinations of the following training components: description, feedback, modelling, role-play, monitory incentive, and escape contingency. To identify evidenced based practice when training staff on BSPs, it is necessary to evaluate active and feasible training components from current training models.
2021-07-05T00:00:00Z