Multiple Sclerosis
Conditions
Brief summary
Physical activity is a crucial component to wellness and is associated with multiple health benefits. Persons with MS may find it challenging to participate in regular physical activity or exercise, which is activity done to improve health and/or fitness. This research will test an innovative web-based intervention to help persons with moderate-to-severe disability manage their condition through a maintenance exercise program with specialized physiotherapist guidance and support. The researchers will examine adherence to the web-based physiotherapy program compared to standard physiotherapy care. Forty-five people with MS will be randomly assigned to the web group or standard care group at a rate of 2:1. Participants in the web group will receive supported and individualized web-based physiotherapy. Participants in the standard care group will receive a written exercise program. Regular participation (adherence) in the exercise programs will be evaluated in both groups over six months. The research will also examine participant satisfaction with the programs, safety, MS symptoms, and physical function. A web-based approach may be widely accessible to persons with MS in their own homes and could support long-term participation in physical activity important to wellness.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPhysiotherapist-guided home exercise with web-based support
Those in the web-based physio group will access their exercise program online and will be able to leave messages for their physiotherapist on the platform. Physiotherapists will monitor usage and respond to messages every two weeks.
BEHAVIORALPhysiotherapist-guided home exercise with standard support
Those in the standard care group will receive a written, home-based exercise program. Participants in the usual care group will be asked to keep an exercise diary, in paper format.
Sponsors
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
University of Saskatchewan
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* diagnosed with MS * moderate to severe disability (PDDS 2-7) * able to access the internet in your current living environment
Exclusion criteria
* already doing structured exercise more than once per week * residing \>300km from Saskatoon (unless able to travel to Saskatoon for the appointments) * unable to understand the intent and process of this study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Adherence to prescribed exercise program | 6 months | Measured by number of completed exercise sessions on exercise diary |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS29 v.2) | 6 months | — |
| Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) | 6 months | — |
| Grip strength measured on hand dynamometer | 6 months | — |
| Injury or fall | 6 months | Participants will be asked to contact their treating physiotherapist in the event of new pain, injury, or fall. |
| Timed Up and Go | 6 months | — |
| FIM (R) instrument | 6 months | The FIM (R) instrument, data set and impairment codes referenced herein are the property of Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation, a division of UB Foundation Activities, Inc. |
| Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale | 6 months | — |
| Timed 25-Foot Walk Test | 6 months | — |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed