None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to increase physical activity in people with MS living in rural settings. According to the Transtheoretical Theory (Hayden 2014), behaviour change is a process that occurs in stages. Therefore, the Web-Based Physio (WBP) intervention may help the person to progress from the precontemplation or contemplation stages to the action stage (in other words get the person started in an exercise programme in their homes). This intervention can then be followed with the Blue Prescription intervention which might encourage the person to move through the Action stage to the Maintenance stage. This feasibility study will be a wait list randomised mixed method design. Twenty participants will be recruited and will be divided into two groups, experimental and control. Each participant in the experimental group will receive the WBP intervention for 12 weeks followed by the BP intervention for 12 weeks. Participants will be assessed at baseline, after the first 12 weeks and after the second 12 weeks. One follow-up evaluation will be conducted at 6 months after the combined intervention. People in the control group will wait for six months and then commence the interventions
Interventions
Web-based Physiotherapy (WBP) and Blue prescription (BP) combination group: The 12 weeks of WBP will be delivered via a website designed and evaluated for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), containing a library of over 200 exercises, each exercise page consists of a video clip, audio, and text description of each exercise and a timer. Some local NZ registered physiotherapists will have one face-to-face visit (one hour) with each participant. Based on this first visit, exercise goals with the
Web-based Physiotherapy (WBP) and Blue prescription (BP) combination group: The 12 weeks of WBP will be delivered via a website designed and evaluated for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), containing a library of over 200 exercises, each exercise page consists of a video clip, audio, and text description of each exercise and a timer. Some local NZ registered physiotherapists will have one face-to-face visit (one hour) with each participant. Based on this first visit, exercise goals with the participant will be agreed and an individualised exercise programme prescribed using the web-based resource. Participants will be asked to complete a digital diary of exercise participation via the internet, available for remote viewing by the physiotherapist who can alter the patient's programme, dependent on progress, and monitor adherence and adverse events. After 12 weeks of WBP, participants will then receive the BP approach for 12 weeks. Participants will be have given a “Zoom visit” for 30 minutes, Zoom is similar to Skype but has been found to be more user friendly and require less broadband, by the same physiotherapist and, using the technique of motivational interviewing, together decide on a programme of physical activity (the participant chooses a physical activity they would like to do), how often and for how long. The physiotherapist will conduct a second “Zoom visit” approximately two weeks later, providing further advice or information. In the third “Zoom visit” (12 weeks later), the physiotherapist will ask the participant to identify any barriers to ongoing physical activity participation, encouraging the participant to problem-solve to maintain engagement. During this 12 week period, the therapist and the participant will also be in contact via telephone, email or text message to enable the physiotherapist to support the participant’s engagement in physical activity. Also, the WBP website will be accessible for the participant to use until the follow-up session (one year after baseline). The control group will be asked to complete all the five questionnaires and send them to research assistance at baseline then they have to wait for six months. Within this six-month they will receive another same questionnaire packs in the weeks 12 and 24. Then, Each participants’ diary on the WBP website (in WBP and BP combination group) will be used to address three items. Firstly, the number of days participants use the diary will be assumed to be an indicator of participation. Secondly, participants will report difficulties encountered on the WBP website diary as well as in their emails, text messages, emails or telephone calls. Thirdly, participants will record on the WBP site when the complete each exercise, this will be taken as their physical activity.
Sponsors
University of Otago
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Caregiver)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
a diagnosis of MS of any type, aged 18-85 years, presenting with a moderate to high level of disability based on EDSS scale. Participants will be required to have computer and internet access (compatible with Zoom and the WBP) and have basic computer skills (or have a person who can help them to use a computer). Participants will live in a rural area as determined by their residential postal address.
Exclusion criteria
Current or recent disease relapse (< 3 months), currently participating in regular exercise or physical activity programmes, receiving regular rehabilitation or participating in other clinical trials, and the presence of co-morbidities, such as cardiac, orthopaedic or neurological conditions that prevent them from taking part in physical activity. The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire(PARQ) will be administered to assess the latter criteria and any positive answer in participant’s PARQ will check with their GPs to omit any potential harm.
Outcome results
None listed