Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39987111›Full record

ArticleBMC palliative care2025

Actual needs of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a qualitative study from Wuhan, China.

Lijuan Zeng, Fen Yang, Dandan Xu, Jing Zhou, Guiyuan Qiao, Man Wu, Chaoyang Li, Yiqing Yu, Yufei Qiu, Jiali Liu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC palliative care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Lijuan ZengSchool of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
Fen YangSchool of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China. fenyang@hbucm.edu.cn.
Dandan XuHubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, 430065, China. 452696309@qq.com.
Jing ZhouHubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, 430065, China.
Guiyuan QiaoSchool of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
Man WuSchool of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
Chaoyang LiSchool of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
Yiqing YuSchool of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
Yufei QiuSchool of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
Jiali LiuSchool of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.

Funding

Department of Science and Technology, Hubei Province, China 2024AFD279Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation and Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation and Development Joint 2023AFD160
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that significantly impacts individuals and families. Previous research on ALS has predominantly focused on its pathophysiology, genetic factors, and potential therapeutic interventions. While these aspects are essential for understanding and treating the disease, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of studying patients' actual needs. Understanding these needs is vital for developing patient-centered care models that can enhance the well-being of ALS patients. However, existing studies on patients' needs are often limited in scope. Many are conducted in Western countries, and the results may not be directly applicable to patients in other cultural and socioeconomic contexts. China, with its large population and diverse cultural, economic, and healthcare landscapes, presents a unique setting for studying ALS patients' needs. At the same time, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices are deeply ingrained in their healthcare system and may affect the way people with ALS seek treatment and manage their condition. Therefore, these differences may lead to differences in the actual needs of ALS patients in China. In conclusion, this qualitative study on the actual needs of ALS patients in China aims to bridge the gap in the existing research. By exploring these needs, it can provide valuable insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers, ultimately contributing to the improvement of care and quality of life for ALS patients in China.

methodWe carried out a qualitative study using an empirical phenomenological approach. Individual in-depth interviews were performed among 22 people with ALS from the motor neuron disease rehabilitation center of a tertiary Chinese medicine hospital in China, and the interview content was analyzed qualitatively. Interview recordings were converted to text content by NVivo 11.0 software and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method.

resultThree main themes were identified in this study: (1) Demand for healthcare services, (2) Emotional requirements, (3) Functional requirements. In addition, 8 sub-themes were extracted as the actual needs of ALS patients.

conclusionThis study is based on the real experience of ALS patients after diagnosis, and a deep understanding of these experiences can explore the actual needs of patients from many aspects and give reasonable advice and help. Given the particularity of the disease and the uncertainty of treatment, patients will have practical needs for relevant medical support, emotional requirements, physical functions, and other aspects during the period of illness, and the corresponding support is an effective measure to reduce the burden on patients.

Indexed as

Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisHealth Services Needs and DemandNeeds AssessmentAdultAgedChinaFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMedicine, Chinese TraditionalMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchQuality of LifeActual needsAmyotrophic lateral sclerosisQualitative studySupportive needs

Identifiers

PMID39987111
PMCPMC11846365

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.