Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Dec 5, 2024
Date Accepted: May 14, 2025
Date Submitted to PubMed: Jun 2, 2025
A patient-centered theory-based online intervention to promote a physically active lifestyle for people with multiple sclerosis: Protocol for A Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience life challenges due to the nature of disease progression. Although an active lifestyle has been proven to be effective in the management of symptoms and relapses, most people with MS lead a sedentary lifestyle and do not reach the recommended physical activity guidelines. The present study aims to test the preliminary efficacy of an online self-management intervention based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) adapted for people with MS to cultivate a physically active lifestyle in people with MS.
Objective:
This study aims to test the effectiveness of an online intervention, which was developed with people with MS along with a validated HAPA for physical activity in people with MS.
Methods:
The intervention program was developed using community-based participatory research. Community members with MS serve as peer coaches throughout the program. We aim to recruit 60 people with MS who will be randomized to an intervention group or a wait-list control group. Participants will complete physical activity measures (accelerometer and survey) and psychological assessments at baseline, after an 8-week intervention, 3-months, and 6-months post-intervention. It is hypothesized that the intervention group will demonstrate (1) higher scores on the components of HAPA questionnaires and (2) higher frequency, duration, and intensity of engagement in physical activity right after the intervention and follow-ups, than the control group.
Results:
Since spring 2023, we have recruited 50 participants to the trial who have been in the intervention or control procedure or the follow-up stage. We have continued to recruit more participants to meet the study recruitment goal.
Conclusions:
This study will test the effectiveness of using an evidence-based online intervention for self-management of physical activity behavior in people with MS. The results of the study will provide us with insightful information for designing community-based participatory research and implementing telerehabilitation interventions for people with MS. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05124522
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