Importance and difficulty with valued life activities for people with systemic sclerosis

Authors

Janet L. Poole, Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Kristin Forno, Wild Rose Hand Therapy, Santa Fe, NM, USA
Ashley Prokopiak, South Texas VA Healthcare System, Kerrville, TX, USA
Betty Skipper, Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2022

Abstract

PURPOSE: To identify the importance of and difficulty with valued activities in persons with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to examine relationships between disease symptoms and difficulty with valued activities using the Valued Activities Scale (VLA). A secondary purpose was to examine the internal consistency of the Short-VLA Scale (S-VLA).

METHODS: A cross-sectional convenience sample of 99 people with SSc completed questionnaires regarding demographics, symptom severity, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the VLA.

RESULTS: Obligatory activities were rated as most important; committed activities were significantly more difficult than obligatory and discretionary. Less fatigue (

CONCLUSIONS: Committed and discretionary activities were more difficult for people with SSc to perform. Results are similar to findings with people with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONHome management/caregiving (committed) and leisure and social participation (discretionary) activities are more difficult to perform by people with SSc compared to self-care (obligatory) activities.Our findings that difficulty scores on the VLA were associated with more fatigue and depression suggest the need for rehabilitation to reduce disability in people with SSc.The S-VLA may be a useful screening and monitoring tool for SSc and other chronic conditions.

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Publication Title

Disability and rehabilitation

ISSN

1464-5165

First Page

1

Last Page

6

DOI

10.1080/09638288.2022.2028910

Recommended Citation

Poole JL, Forno K, Prokopiak A, Skipper B. Importance and difficulty with valued life activities for people with systemic sclerosis. Disabil Rehabil. 2022 Feb 1:1-6. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2028910. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35104183.