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Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

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Full-Text Articles in Clinical Psychology

A National Study Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Multidisciplinary Clinic Utilization, Jared L. Young Jan 2011

A National Study Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Multidisciplinary Clinic Utilization, Jared L. Young

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

There is no cure for the fatal progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Optimization of quality of life is the primary ALS treatment goal (Simmons, 2005). Consolidating multiple appointments into one visit is advantageous due to the severity of muscular deterioration and mobility problems associated with the disease. Multidisciplinary Clinics (MDC) provide improved care coordination, accessibility to health care professionals skilled in treating ALS, and improvements in symptom control for patients with ALS. The purpose of this study is to discuss the differences in quality of life, physical health status, and coping skills for individuals with ALS attending multidisciplinary clinics …


Understanding The Impact Of Physical Functioning On The Experience, Desire, And Satisfaction Of Physical, Emotional And Social Intimacies In Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als), Jamie Lee Rodriguez Jan 2010

Understanding The Impact Of Physical Functioning On The Experience, Desire, And Satisfaction Of Physical, Emotional And Social Intimacies In Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als), Jamie Lee Rodriguez

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The understanding of intimate relationships in persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not yet understood. A review of the current literature, including an overview of ALS and the development and maintenance of intimate relationships using psychological theory, is included. Comparisons to multiple sclerosis, acquired physical disability, and older adults are included to gain a greater understanding of how changes in physical functioning may impact an intimate relationship. This study used archival data, in which participants completed the following measures: ALS Functional Rating Scale–Revised, Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships, and ALS Specific Quality of Life Measurement–Revised. Results suggest high …


Caregiver Religiosity, Spirituality, And Positive Emotion As Predictors Of Psychological Well-Being In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients, Andrea Beth Weller Jan 2009

Caregiver Religiosity, Spirituality, And Positive Emotion As Predictors Of Psychological Well-Being In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients, Andrea Beth Weller

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in degeneration of motor neurons of the cerebral cortex, the brainstem, and the spinal cord. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS has no conclusive etiology and no known cure. The disease is ultimately fatal within approximately 3 to 5 years and robs individuals of all physical functions while leaving their intellectual capacity and personalities intact. Therefore, patients’ quality of life (QOL) becomes increasingly important in their lives and in the lives of their caregivers. Patients with ALS and their caregivers face a number of psychological, psychosocial, and existential …


Does Social Problem-Solving Moderate The Relationship Between Physical Functioning And Depression In Als Patients?, Melissa Dillon Horowitz Jan 2008

Does Social Problem-Solving Moderate The Relationship Between Physical Functioning And Depression In Als Patients?, Melissa Dillon Horowitz

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive and ultimately fatal neurological disease that interferes with the normative functions of the upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Depression has been found across disease stages in some ALS patients, but not all. Investigations that examined the association between physical functioning and depression in ALS patients produced mixed findings. To date, the role of social problem solving has not yet been explored in the ALS population. Thus, the current study examined the relationship between social problem solving, physical functioning, and depression in …


Resiliency Factors: Predictors Of Quality Of Life In Family Caregivers Of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Beatrice Hamblin Chakraborty Jan 2007

Resiliency Factors: Predictors Of Quality Of Life In Family Caregivers Of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Beatrice Hamblin Chakraborty

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease resulting from generalized degeneration of motor cells in the brain and spinal cord (The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association [ALSA], 2004). Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS has no conclusive etiology, no known cure, and death generally occurs within three to five years following the diagnosis (Rabkin, Wagner, & Del Bene, 2000). Given the devastating and predictable course of ALS, it is understandable that this disease can have a profound, adverse impact on the quality of life (QOL) of the patient and the caregiver. However, not all caregivers, particularly spouses who …


Caregivers' Relationship Satisfaction And Perception Of Competency As Predictors Of Quality Of Life For Als Patients , Jessica Stewart Allen Jan 2004

Caregivers' Relationship Satisfaction And Perception Of Competency As Predictors Of Quality Of Life For Als Patients , Jessica Stewart Allen

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In addition to the physiological impact of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), patients and spousal caregivers experience significant emotional and psychological reactions to the disease and its course. As there is no effective treatment and no cure for this debilitating, fatal neuromuscular disease, treatment should include psychological interventions to improve patients' disease experience. External factors impacting psychological well-being of patients must be identified to allow for effective and relevant intervention. The current study examined the relationships between level of care provided to patients, caregivers' relationship satisfaction, and caregivers' perceived competence, and whether these factors predict patient quality of life (QOL). It …