Evaluation of an Internet-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Physical activity(PA) is beneficial, particularly in populations who are inactive, this includes those with Multiple Sclerosis(MS). Eliminating barriers to PA is a vital step to improve the health of this population. The purpose of this study was to create a health promotion intervention, based on Stage of Change(SOC), to increase PA in those with MS by: (1)Determining correlates of SOC through an internet survey and focus groups(FG), (2)Developing a PA intervention, and (3)Evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention and its strategies. METHODS: An internet survey and FG's were conducted to identify barriers. A six month one-on-one internet counseling intervention was created. Out of the sampling frame of internet survey participants, 44 were randomly selected and assigned to intervention or control. Twelve participated in the intervention and 16 participated as controls. Discussion topics, based on the survey and FG's, were self-efficacy, PA barriers, fatigue, goal setting, time management, social support, and stress management. Participants' PA and SOC were measured at pre, three months, and six months. RESULTS: SOC in the initial sampling frame (n=124) was significantly correlated with self-efficacy (r=0.42, p<0.001), fatigue (r=-0.26, p<0.01), and perceived barriers (r=-0.35, p<0.01). Determinants of PA from FG's were self-efficacy, fatigue, transportation, perceived barriers, and MS treatments. Post intervention evaluations suggested intervention efficacy was dependent on methods of PA assessment, participant motivation, duration of intervention, and self-selected counseling topics. CONCLUSION: The intervention varied in effectiveness; nevertheless, the results provide guidance on how to improve future internet-based PA interventions for adults with MS.