Psychosocial factors associated with Quality of Life in Motor Neuron Disease


Granger, NJ (2017) Psychosocial factors associated with Quality of Life in Motor Neuron Disease. Master of Philosophy thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

Psychosocial factors affecting Quality of Life in Motor Neuron Disease Noah John Granger Motor neuron disease is a neurodegenerative condition that disrupts the motor system, causing progressive disability and ultimately resulting in death. Death is usually caused by respiratory paralysis within 2-4 years from symptom onset, and within this time quality of life is of the utmost concern. Despite the intuitive idea that the main driver for a decline in quality of life would be the decline in patients’ physical function and the ensuing loss of independence, studies do not support this – indeed, the evidence indicates that psychosocial factors may be of more importance when it comes to global quality of life. The most examined factors are depression, anxiety, and social factors, but due to the multiple scales used to measure these factors and to measure quality of life, a consensus has not been reached on their significance. This study aimed to examine psychosocial factors and quality of life in the TONiC cohort. The study found significant associations between disability and depression, hope and anxiety, physical function and social withdrawal, and quality of life subdomains and social withdrawal. Non-significant associations were found between demographics, time from diagnosis and depression, and locus of control subscales and anxiety. The three main factors - depression, anxiety and social withdrawal - were all found to have significant associations with global quality of life in this cohort. The importance of these findings lies in creating a greater awareness of the importance of these factors in motor neuron disease, as well as using the associations to identify individuals at risk of depression, anxiety, withdrawal or poor quality of life. Additionally, the findings can be used to prompt investigation into possible interventions for these factors. Due to the cross-sectional nature of this data the direction of effect between factors cannot be identified; accordingly, longitudinal studies are required to identify the direction of effect, and also to identify change in the relative importance of various psychosocial factors over time.

Item Type: Thesis (Master of Philosophy)
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 18 Dec 2017 10:08
Last Modified: 16 Jan 2024 17:21
DOI: 10.17638/03009696
Supervisors:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3009696
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