Medicine & Research
MS, daily life, and the
MS, daily life, and the 
need for tailored support
need for tailored support 
The role of occupational therapy in supporting 
The role of occupational therapy in supporting  
individuals with multiple sclerosis.
individuals with multiple sclerosis. 
By Samia Alamgir, OTD, OTR/L
Living with multiple sclerosis can challenge 
how a person moves, thinks, works, and cares 
for themselves each day. Symptoms may make 
even simple tasks feel exhausting, painful, or 
potentially unsafe. People living with MS often 
need practical, tailored support to keep doing 
the activities that matter most to them, coined 
“occupations.” Desired occupations range  
from 
dressing 
independently 
and 
 
preparing meals to returning to work, caring for 
family, or pursuing hobbies. 
Occupational therapists are rehabilitation 
specialists who bridge the gap between the  
person, environment, and activity demands 
constituted by the “occupation.” After assessing 
the person-environment-occupation fit, the  
OT modifies each factor into a tailored  
individualized approach coined “intervention.” 
Interventions encompass combinations of 
strategies and tools to make daily life simpler, 
safer, and more fulfilling. Skills training focuses 
on practicing the task itself, building the  
person’s abilities (strength, coordination,  
attention, and sequencing) through graded, 
real-world 
practice 
and 
feedback. 
 
Compensatory strategies change how the task 
is done to bypass limitations, including  
discovering tools and technology to simplify 
complex tasks to reduce the cognitive or  
physical load. Environmental adaptations 
modify the surroundings or tools to make  
activities safer and easier. Patient education 
teaches symptom awareness, pacing, self-
management, and correct use of equipment. 
Who OT is for and  
how to access services 
Occupational therapy is appropriate for any 
individual experiencing difficulty maintaining 
functional independence. Because MS can  
affect nearly every aspect of function, from fine 
motor skills to memory and endurance, OTs are 
prepared to address a broad range of challenges 
in both newly diagnosed and advanced cases. 
People with MS can access OT through a  
neurologist, primary care provider, or MS clinic, 
and are often covered by insurance. 
Because MS is a neurological condition with 
diverse symptoms, clinician expertise often 
overlaps with adjacent specialty credentials. For 
example, stroke and physical rehabilitation  
specialists address motor issues such as  
spasticity and weakness. Brain injury and  
cognitive training specialists are well-suited for 
cognitive and some vision-related changes. Low 
vision professionals can be relevant for optic 
neuritis and involved in visual changes. 
Understanding what these credentials  
signify helps you choose an OT whose scope 
best matches your needs. As with any  
rehabilitation service, the most effective  
approach is to begin with clear personal goals 
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msfocusmagazine.org

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