A mixed methods study into the practice and experience of mindfulness/meditation in people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) following the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis (OMS) Programme

A survey to investigate the mindfulness practice of people with MS following the OMS programme

Hi, and welcome to this exciting study and I hope that you will take part in the survey. My name is Sue, and I am a MS Specialist Nurse, a person with MS who follows OMS, and a student at the University of Aberdeen studying for a Masters degree in Mindfulness. This survey forms the basis for my dissertation project and I hope the results will provide useful information that can add to the evidence base and inform future research and practice.

Throughout my journey with MS and OMS that began 10 years ago, I have noticed that people often say that mindfulness is the most difficult part of OMS to incorporate into their lives. I am interested to explore this further and hopefully collect some useful data to inform this subject.

Data will be analysed and published in the dissertation project and may be submitted to academic journals later, for consideration to be published. OMS may use the study on their website and social media. The final dissertation will be made available for anyone wishing to read it on request.

The survey consists of 20 questions and should take no longer that 10 minutes to complete. It is completely anonymous and as a participant you are free to withdraw at any stage. I can be contacted if you have any questions at tibbles.sue@yahoo.com

The survey can be completed below and there is no obligation to complete or submit it. However, once submitted it will not be possible to remove it as responses are completely anonymous. All data and any communication will be treated completely confidentially.

There are 3 criteria that must be met in order to complete the survey. These are:

1. You must have a diagnosis of MS

2. You must be following (or at least trying to follow) the OMS programme

3. You must be resident in the UK

Please answer all the questions as fully and as honestly as possible in order to provide the most accurate data. Your input is very much appreciated.

With warmest wishes,

Sue

Page1 / 1

100% of survey complete.

Question Title

1. Please complete the following statements required to participate.

I have a diagnosis of MS

I am following (or trying to follow) the OMS programme

I am resident in the UK

Question Title

2. How long have you been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis?

Less than 1 year

1 - 3 years

3 - 5 years

More than 5 years

Question Title

3. What type of Multiple Sclerosis have you been diagnosed with?

Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

4. Do you feel that you currently experience any of the following?

Stress

Anxiety

Depression

I don't experience any of these

Question Title

5. How long have you been following (or trying to follow) the OMS Programme

Less than 1 year

1 - 3 years

3 - 5 years

More than 5 years

Question Title

6. Which parts of the OMS Programme are most important to you? Please assign a number between 1 -5 to each item. 1 being not important, 5 being extremely important.

Diet

Mindfulness

Exercise

Vitamin D

Medication

Question Title

7. How often do you practice formal sitting meditation/mindfulness?

Daily (7 days a week)

3 - 6 days a week

Once or twice a week

Once a fortnight

Rarely

Never

Question Title

8. On average please indicate how long you would spend practicing meditation/mindfulness? (formal sitting practice)

5 minutes or less

10 minutes

15 minutes

20 minutes

25 minutes

30 minutes or longer

I don't practice formal sitting meditation

Question Title

9. On average how often do you practice mindfulness as you go about your daily life? (Bringing a present moment awareness to activities that you are doing)

More than once a day

Once a day

Several times a week

Once a week

Rarely

Never

Question Title

10. On a scale of 1 - 5 how satisfied are you with your mindfulness/meditation practice?

0 Not at all satisfied

It's ok

100 It couldn't be better

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

11. Is there anything about practicing meditation/mindfulness that you struggle with or find difficult?

Question Title

12. On a scale of 1 - 5 how beneficial do you find meditation/mindfulness practice?

0 Not at all beneficial

100 Extremely beneficial

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

13. Please comment on the ways you feel that meditation/mindfulness does or doesn't benefit you.

Question Title

14. Do you think that any of the following would help you to improve your practice? Select all that apply.

Taking part in a course

Reading a book

Using an App

Attend a retreat

Attending a mindfulness/meditation group

I don't want/need to improve my practice

None of the above

Other (please specify)

Question Title

15. Have you used the meditation resources on the OMS website?

Yes

Question Title

16. If you answered YES to the previous question please comment on how you found this resource.

Question Title

17. What age group are you?

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

Question Title

18. What gender do you identify with?

Male

Female

Prefer not to say

Other (please specify)

Question Title

19. What is your current religion, if any?

Christian

Buddhist

Hindu

Jewish

Muslim

Sikh

No religion

Prefer not to say

Any other religion (please specify)

Question Title

20. If you have any other comments or information that you feel might be useful please use the space below.

Thank you very much for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.