Individualized activity recommendation based on a physical fitness assessment increases short- and long-term regular physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis in a retrospective cohort study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Individualized activity recommendation based on a physical fitness assessment increases short- and long-term regular physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis in a retrospective cohort study

AU - van der Ven, Eva

AU - Patra, Stefan

AU - Riemann-Lorenz, Karin

AU - Welsch, Götz

AU - Krause, Nicole

AU - Heesen, Christoph

AU - Rosenkranz, Sina Cathérine

A2 - Kauschke, Katrin

A2 - Freese-Schwarz, Katrin

N1 - Copyright © 2024 van der Ven, Patra, Riemann-Lorenz, Kauschke, Freese-Schwarz, Welsch, Krause, Heesen and Rosenkranz.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - BACKGROUND: Despite the evidence of beneficial effects of physical activity (PA), people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are less physically active than the general population. To increase PA in pwMS, we developed a structured individually tailored PA promotion program which is conducted within clinical practice in a university-based outpatient clinic since 2016. This study serves as retrospective quality control of this program.OBJECTIVE: In a retrospective cohort study, we assessed the physical fitness of pwMS and the impact of the program on short- and long-term PA changes and behavioral determinants.METHODS: The program consisted of four appointments each 2-4 weeks apart. Spiroergometric test results of female pwMS were compared to female non-MS controls who underwent a voluntary physical fitness analysis. The short version of the Freiburger questionnaire, self-developed questions and the modified Physical activity screening questionnaire (PASQ) were sent to all participants assessing the PA levels before the program, 3 months after the program (short-term), and at the time of the survey (long-term). Additionally, established questionnaires assessed behavioral determinants before the program and long-term.RESULTS: A total of 166 participants [mean age 38.32 (± 10.61 SD), mean EDSS 2.30 (±1.29 SD)] and mostly females (63.3%, n = 105) were included in the study and started the program. A total of 136 participants completed the program. Out of these 63.9% (n = 87) answered the questionnaires in 12.38 (±11.34 SD) months after finishing the program. At baseline female pwMS (n = 100) showed a lower physical fitness in comparison to non-MS controls (n = 26) (maximal workload (Watts): 138.86 ± 37.85 vs. 191.73 ± 45.25, p < 0.001; peak oxygen consumption (ml min-1 kg-1): 26.40 ± 7.23 vs. 31.56 ± 10.10, p = 0.020). pwMS were more regularly active in short- (62.1%) and long-term (55.2%) compared to baseline (24.2%, p < 0.001). Among the activated participants, we observed improved internal motivation (p = 0.002) and decreased perception of barriers (p = 0.006) compared to baseline.CONCLUSION: PwMS showed a lower physical fitness in comparison to non-MS controls. An individually tailored PA promotion program might improve behavioral determinants and thereby increase short- and long-term PA levels of pwMS.

AB - BACKGROUND: Despite the evidence of beneficial effects of physical activity (PA), people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are less physically active than the general population. To increase PA in pwMS, we developed a structured individually tailored PA promotion program which is conducted within clinical practice in a university-based outpatient clinic since 2016. This study serves as retrospective quality control of this program.OBJECTIVE: In a retrospective cohort study, we assessed the physical fitness of pwMS and the impact of the program on short- and long-term PA changes and behavioral determinants.METHODS: The program consisted of four appointments each 2-4 weeks apart. Spiroergometric test results of female pwMS were compared to female non-MS controls who underwent a voluntary physical fitness analysis. The short version of the Freiburger questionnaire, self-developed questions and the modified Physical activity screening questionnaire (PASQ) were sent to all participants assessing the PA levels before the program, 3 months after the program (short-term), and at the time of the survey (long-term). Additionally, established questionnaires assessed behavioral determinants before the program and long-term.RESULTS: A total of 166 participants [mean age 38.32 (± 10.61 SD), mean EDSS 2.30 (±1.29 SD)] and mostly females (63.3%, n = 105) were included in the study and started the program. A total of 136 participants completed the program. Out of these 63.9% (n = 87) answered the questionnaires in 12.38 (±11.34 SD) months after finishing the program. At baseline female pwMS (n = 100) showed a lower physical fitness in comparison to non-MS controls (n = 26) (maximal workload (Watts): 138.86 ± 37.85 vs. 191.73 ± 45.25, p < 0.001; peak oxygen consumption (ml min-1 kg-1): 26.40 ± 7.23 vs. 31.56 ± 10.10, p = 0.020). pwMS were more regularly active in short- (62.1%) and long-term (55.2%) compared to baseline (24.2%, p < 0.001). Among the activated participants, we observed improved internal motivation (p = 0.002) and decreased perception of barriers (p = 0.006) compared to baseline.CONCLUSION: PwMS showed a lower physical fitness in comparison to non-MS controls. An individually tailored PA promotion program might improve behavioral determinants and thereby increase short- and long-term PA levels of pwMS.

U2 - 10.3389/fneur.2024.1428712

DO - 10.3389/fneur.2024.1428712

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 39268074

VL - 15

SP - 1428712

JO - FRONT NEUROL

JF - FRONT NEUROL

SN - 1664-2295

ER -