This pilot study sets the stage for a subsequent RCT that includes a larger sample of persons with MS, longer intervention period along with a follow-up, objective measure of physical activity, and secondary outcomes of walking mobility and QOL.

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Our results support behavioral interventions targeting lifestyle physical activity as an alternative approach for managing symptoms in MS.

Physical activity is associated with many benefits, but persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are less physically active than the general population. There is a critical need for research on methods of increasing and sustaining the physical activity levels of this population. This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of an Internet-delivered and theory-based behavioral intervention that was supplemented with video coaching for increasing and sustaining physical activity over time in persons with MS. Physically inactive, ambulatory persons with MS (N = 45) were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 22) or control (n = 23) conditions and completed a battery of questionnaires before, after, and three months after a 12-week intervention period. Data analyses were conducted in PASW 18.0. Partial eta squared ([Formula: see text]) effect size indicated that there was a large, statistically significant condition-by-time interaction on physical activity ([Formula: see text]). Cohen's d effect sizes indicated that the intervention group had a large increase in physical activity after the 12-week trial (d = .98) that was sustained over a three-month follow-up (d = .79). The current study supports the efficacy of a behavioral intervention for increasing and sustaining physical activity in a sample of persons with MS.

No abstract

The reliability of these outcomes is good and falls within acceptable ranges. Precision and clinically important change estimates provide guidelines for interpreting these outcomes in clinical and research settings.

The present study adopted a randomized controlled trial design and examined the effect of a physical activity behavioral intervention on cognitive and walking performance among persons with MS who have mild or moderate disability status. A total of 82 MS patients were randomly allocated into intervention or wait-list control conditions. The intervention condition received a theory-based program for increasing physical activity behavior that was delivered via the Internet, and one-on-one video chat sessions with a behavior-change coach. Participants completed self-report measures of physical activity and disability status, and underwent the oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and 6-minute walk (6MW) test before and after the 6-month period. Analysis using mixed-model ANOVA indicated a significant time × condition × disability group interaction on SDMT scores (p = 0.02, partial-η (2) = 0.08), such that persons with mild disability in the intervention condition demonstrated a clinically meaningful improvement in SDMT scores (~6 point change). There was a further significant time × condition interaction on 6MW distance (p = 0.02, partial-η (2) = 0.07), such that those in the intervention condition demonstrated an increase in 6MW distance relative to those in the control group. The current study supports physical activity as a promising tool for managing cognitive impairment and impaired walking performance in persons with MS, and suggests that physical activity might have specific effects on cognition and non-specific effects on walking performance in this population.

Objectives -There is increasing recognition that physical activity has beneficial consequences among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), but there is concern regarding the current degree of physical inactivity in this population because of limitations with previous research and increased recognition of health behaviors in MS. This study compared physical activity levels between large samples of persons with mild MS and matched controls using validated measures of physical activity. Materials and methods -The sample included 77 cases of MS and 77 controls matched on age, height, weight, and gender. Physical activity was assessed using five measures, namely the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and activity counts per day, step counts per day, and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day by accelerometry. Results -There were statistically significant differences between groups in accelerometer activity counts (t = À3.87, P = 0.0001), accelerometer step counts (t = À4.29, P = 0.0001), time spent in MVPA (t = À2.39, P = 0.01), GLTEQ scores (t = À3.83, P = 0.0001), and IPAQ scores (t = À3.42, P = 0.0001). The average effect size across all five measures was d = À0.59 and indicated that persons with MS overall were moderately less physically active than the matched controls. Conclusions -The primary finding was a moderate reduction in physical activity among those with MS, but the magnitude was substantially smaller than reported in a published meta-analysis. Importantly, the degree of physical inactivity can likely be overcome through the delivery of behavioral interventions for increasing physical activity and this should translate into meaningful consequences for persons with MS.