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Work Barriers and Job Adjustments of People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

Purpose The aim was to carry out a systematic review dedicated to describing the work barriers and the job adjustments that are particularly sensitive to people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Methods Four electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SciVerse ScienceDirect, and Web of Science) were searched for peer-reviewed original articles reporting the barriers at work and/or the job adjustments used by PwMS. MS must have been diagnosed according to accepted international criteria at the time of the study and/or confirmed by a doctor. No time limits were set for the search. Articles that were published in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese were accepted. Each article was screened by three experienced and trained investigators. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022299994). Results The initial systematic search yielded 104,228 results, of which 49 articles provided sufficient information and were considered suitable for inclusion in the study. Overall, the studies included 30283 participants with MS. Thirteen (27.1%) studies reported on barriers to work, 14 (29.2%) addressed reasonable adjustments and 21 (43.7%) assessed both outcomes. Job characteristics are the most important barriers for PwMS. Other reported barriers concern the work environment, social relationships at work, negative work events and lack of information. PwMS are more vulnerable to the need for adjustments at the workplace, being the management of the workload the most commonly used one. Conclusions PwMS are exposed to a wide variety of work barriers and job adjustments. Future studies are still highly encouraged on the topic.

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Acknowledgements

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Funding

This work was supported by the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association (AISM) and Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), in the framework of BRIC 2019: “PRISMA” project (Bando BRIC 2019_ID 24). This work was developed within the frameworks of the Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI) of the University of Genoa—Department of Excellence of MIUR 2018–2022 (legge 232 del 2016), of the Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL) of the University of Genoa, and of the Occupational Medicine Unit of the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino of Genoa, Italy.

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BKV, AR, GD, and PD conceived the study and developed the protocol. BKV, AR and AM performed the search strategy, screened the search results, extracted the data and performed the data analysis. BKV, AR, AM, GD and PD participated in the data interpretation and comments on the paper. BKV wrote the original manuscript. PB, MP, MAB, GB, FP, BP, MI participated in the manuscript revision. PD and MI obtained the financial support. PD was responsible for coordinating the research. All authors reviewed the manuscript and took the responsibility of making the decision for submission.

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Correspondence to Bruno Kusznir Vitturi.

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Vitturi, B.K., Rahmani, A., Dini, G. et al. Work Barriers and Job Adjustments of People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. J Occup Rehabil 33, 450–462 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-022-10084-1

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