Experience of women with multiple sclerosis during the period of compulsory home confinement due to COVID-19 in Spain.

Compulsory home confinement due to COVID-19 pandemic has had an influence on the physical and emotional health. Nevertheless, it has been more prevalent in women and in people with chronic illness such as multiple sclerosis, so the aim of this study was to know the experience of women with multiple sclerosis during the home confinement period in Spain. Seven women aged over 18 years, with a definitive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and who belonged to multiple sclerosis associations completed semi-structured interviews. Two main themes and multiple subthemes were identified. The first them was "living with multiple sclerosis during home confinement" which included the physical and emotional impact, confinement coping ability and time for reflection. The second theme was "the environment during confinement" and it included solidarity and support, family cooperation, importance of peer contact and adjustments in the health environment during the pandemic. The period of compulsory home confinement in Spain did not worsen the physical and emotional symptoms of these women. This might be related to the increased support they had received as well as the continuity of their rehabilitation activities at home. Regarding changes in health system, the participants referred the necessity to return to face-to-face visits.