Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42786464›Full record

ArticleBMC neurology2026

Exploring work stressors and resources and their perceived effects on symptoms and work ability in employees with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study.

Jessica T Bau, Lisa Guthardt, Jennifer Apolinário-Hagen, Adrian Loerbroks, Sven G Meuth, Jeannette Weber

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC neurology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

6 authors.

Jessica T BauInstitute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. Jessica.Bau@hhu.de.
Lisa GuthardtInstitute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Jennifer Apolinário-HagenInstitute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Adrian LoerbroksInstitute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Sven G MeuthDepartment of Neurology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Jeannette WeberInstitute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdverse working conditions can lead to reduced working hours, career changes, or early exit from the workforce among employees with multiple sclerosis. The aim of the present study was to explore work-related stressors and resources, as well as their effects on symptoms and work ability, as perceived by employees with multiple sclerosis in Germany.

methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted via video conference and telephone. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using MAXQDA and qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz.

resultsOf the 26 participants (73.1% women, mean age 38.4 years, SD = 10.2), 73.1% worked full-time and 26.9% part-time (> 19 h) across various sectors, including, e.g., public services, healthcare, IT, trade and industry, and crafts. Stressors and resources were categorized into three groups: (1) work-related factors (work contents and demands, work organization, and workplace conditions), (2) social factors (relationship with supervisors and colleagues), and (3) person-related factors (self-expectations, attitudes towards work and handling of the disease). Reported work stressors contributed to symptoms, such as fatigue, sensory disturbances, and cognitive and visual impairments, which impacted work ability. Reported work resources enhanced cognition and fine motor skills, distracted participants from focusing on their disease, and fostered motivation and energy to carry out their profession.

conclusionsThe results provide insights into which factors are essential for improving well-being and work ability in employees with multiple sclerosis. Based on these findings, workplace interventions and adaptations can be considered to enable employees with multiple sclerosis to remain in the workforce for a longer time. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

EmploymentMultiple SclerosisOccupational StressAdultFemaleGermanyHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchSubjective StressWorking ConditionsHealth resourcesMultiple sclerosisOccupational stressQualitative researchSymptomsWork abilityWorking conditions

Identifiers

PMID42786464
PMCPMC13602774

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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.