scholarly journals “So this is my new life”: A Qualitative Examination of Women Living with Multiple Sclerosis and the Coping Strategies They Use When Accessing Physical Activity

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (3/4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Schneider ◽  
Nadine Young
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Physician Patient Relationship ◽  
Interpretive Analysis ◽  
Patient’S Experience ◽  
The Impact

<p>The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of women living with multiple sclerosis and their perceived barriers to accessing physical activity. Seven women were invited to complete a background questionnaire and a semi-structured interview to discuss these experiences, and to examine any perceived barriers (i.e., internal and external) that they encountered in relation to physical activity. The key themes that emerged from the interpretive analysis were the apparent importance of: 1) self-management; 2) treatments; and 3) attitude, when accessing such opportunities. The findings suggest that it is important for physicians to understand the patient’s experience of living with multiple sclerosis and the impact of the disease can have on other aspects of their life (e.g., access to physical activity). Acknowledgement of this experience and the issues that these women struggle with on a daily basis could enhance the physician/patient relationship, and encourage a more collaborative effort in terms of establishing an illness management plan for navigating the illness journey.</p>

Intervention Mediators in a Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Physical Activity and Fatigue Self-management Behaviors Among Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Plow ◽  
Robert W Motl ◽  
Marcia Finlayson ◽  
Francois Bethoux
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience fatigue, which is aggravated by inactivity. Identifying mediators of changes in physical activity (PA) and fatigue self-management (FSM) behaviors could optimize future interventions that reduce the impact of MS fatigue. Purpose To examine the effects of telephone-delivered interventions on Social Cognitive Theory constructs and test whether these constructs mediated secondary outcomes of PA and FSM behaviors. Methods Participants with MS (n = 208; Mean age = 52.1; Female = 84.6%) were randomized into contact–control intervention (CC), PA-only intervention, and PA+FSM intervention. Step count (Actigraphy) and FSM behaviors as well as self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and goal setting for PA and FSM were measured at baseline, post-test (12 weeks), and follow-up (24 weeks). Path analyses using bias-corrected bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals (CI) determined whether constructs at post-test mediated behaviors at follow-up when adjusting for baseline measures. Results Path analysis indicated that PA-only (β = 0.50, p < .001) and PA+FSM interventions (β = 0.42, p < .010) had an effect on goal setting for PA, and that PA + FSM intervention had an effect on self-efficacy for FSM (β = 0.48, p = .011) and outcome expectations for FSM (β = 0.42, p = .029). Goal setting for PA at post-test mediated the effects of PA-only (β = 159.45, CI = 5.399, 371.996) and PA + FSM interventions (β = 133.17, CI = 3.104, 355.349) on step count at follow-up. Outcome expectations for FSM at post-test mediated the effects of PA + FSM intervention on FSM behaviors at follow-up (β = 0.02, CI = 0.001, 0.058). Conclusions Goal setting for PA and outcome expectations for FSM may be important constructs to target in telephone-delivered interventions designed to reduce the impact of MS fatigue. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01572714)

I ride for MS: The impact of bike MS participation on motivation for physical activity in individuals with multiple sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 100853
Author(s):  
Kimberly S. Fasczewski ◽  
Hannah M. Cook ◽  
Katie E. Campbell ◽  
Blair Anderes
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
The Impact

Habitual and Low-Intensity Physical Activity in People with Multiple Sclerosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah L. Gullo ◽  
Anna L. Hatton ◽  
Sally Bennett ◽  
Jennifer Fleming ◽  
David H. K. Shum
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Habitual Activity ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Insufficient Physical Activity ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Impact

People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) undertake insufficient physical activity based on current guidelines. Recent work points to the benefits of increasing the amount of time spent in all non-sedentary physical activity. The current study sought to explore the potential benefits to community participation, as well as examine factors predictive, of engagement in ‘habitual’ and/or low-intensity physical activity. Seventy-four people with MS were compared to 67 healthy controls using the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI). Findings revealed differences in habitual activity level (p < .001), and low-intensity physical activity (p < .001), with people with MS having a lower level of engagement than healthy people. After controlling for the impact of MS on mobility, years since symptom onset, physical fatigue and reduced positive affect were the most significant predictors of engagement in ‘at least weekly’ low-intensity physical activity. Higher frequency of low-intensity physical activity was significantly associated with greater home, social and occupational participation (all p < .05), and physical health status (p < .01), but not mental health status (p = .964) in people with MS. Results suggest that improving habitual activity level and engagement in low-intensity physical activity may be of benefit for people with MS.

scholarly journals Effects of COVID-19 “Sheltering in Place” on Activity in People with Multiple Sclerosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000982
Author(s):  
Valerie J Block ◽  
Riley Bove ◽  
Jeffrey M Gelfand ◽  
Bruce A C Cree
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
San Francisco Bay Area ◽  
Wearable Technology ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Primary Form

People with neurological conditions that impair mobility such as multiple sclerosis (MS) have low levels of physical activity, with walking their primary form of exercise. When the San Francisco Bay Area shelter-in-place order was announced in mid-March 2020 to flatten the curve of SARS-CoV-2 infections, the abrupt closure of gyms, fitness studios, and malls greatly limited options for safe exercise. We leveraged an ongoing study utilizing wearable technology, to understand the impact of the shelter-in-place policy on physical activity in people with MS (PwMS) at-risk for neurological worsening.

Exercise and the brain in multiple sclerosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852096909
Author(s):  
Brian M Lozinski ◽  
V Wee Yong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

While people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) historically were advised to avoid physical activity to reduce symptoms such as fatigue, they are now encouraged to remain active and to enlist in programs of exercise. However, despite an extensive current literature that exercise not only increases physical well-being but also their cognition and mental health, many PwMS are not meeting recommended levels of exercise. Here, we emphasize the impact and mechanisms of exercise on functional and structural changes to the brain, including improved connectome, neuroprotection, neurogenesis, oligodendrogenesis, and remyelination. We review evidence from animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS) that exercise protects and repairs the brain, and provide supportive data from clinical studies of PwMS. We introduce the concept of MedXercise, where exercise provides a brain milieu particularly conducive for a brain regenerative medication to act upon. The emphasis on exercise improving brain functions and repair should incentivize PwMS to remain physically active.

scholarly journals Critical Feminist Service-Learning: A Physical Activity Program in a Woman’s Prison

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7501
Author(s):  
Ingrid Hinojosa-Alcalde ◽  
Susanna Soler
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Social Good ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Critical Feminist ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

In recent decades, increasing emphasis has been placed on the role of universities in ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. Higher education strategies such as critical feminist service-learning (CFSL) can help achieve true university-community engagement to achieve social good while allowing students to develop academic competencies, values, and social responsibility. This study analyzes the impact of a university physical activity–based CFSL project implemented at a woman’s prison. The study combined quantitative and qualitative research methods. Eighty-one students (24 women and 57 men) participated in the project over the 3 years in which it was run (2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019-2020). Aspects related to the four principles of CFSL were analyzed using data collected from questionnaires and reflective learning journals completed by the students and a semi-structured interview with the prison sports instructor. Our findings show that participating in the project brought about significant changes in students’ beliefs and preconceptions about prisons, and helped them to develop their critical awareness. They also show that the project strengthened the collaborative relationship between the establishments and agents involved. In conclusion, CFSL is a powerful higher education strategy that can be used to show future educators and practitioners how sport and physical activity can drive social justice and contribute to the achievement of the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity among Adult Lesbians

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle R. Brittain ◽  
Nancy C. Gyurcsik ◽  
Mary McElroy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Specific Barriers

Despite the health benefits derived from regular participation in moderate physical activity, the majority of adult lesbians are not physically active. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between moderate physical activity and the perceived presence and extent of limitation of 30 general and 10 lesbian-specific barriers. The participants were 516 self-identified adult lesbians who completed a web-based survey. Compared to physically active participants, participants who were insufficiently active reported more general barriers and a significantly higher extent of limitation of general and lesbian-specific barriers overall. Insufficiently active participants also differed in the perceived presence of one of the five most frequently experienced barriers and in the extent of limitation of three of those five barriers. The study’s findings suggest that the impact of barriers may be alleviated through the use of appropriately tailored strategies to help lesbians cope with them. Future research should further examine whether lesbians experience additional population-specific barriers.

scholarly journals Aerobic Exercise in People with Multiple Sclerosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad Swank ◽  
Mary Thompson ◽  
Ann Medley
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
The Impact

The aims of this study were to explore the feasibility of structured aerobic exercise followed by a period of unstructured physical activity and determine the impact of such exercise on cognition, mood, and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A convenience sample of 9 individuals with relapsing-remitting MS performed 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (upper- and lower-extremity ergometry and treadmill ambulation) twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by 3 months of unstructured physical activity. Eight participants completed the intervention and posttest; 6 returned for the 3-month follow-up. Cardiovascular fitness, cognition, mood (measured with the Beck Depression Inventory–II; BDI-II), and quality of life (measured with the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life–54; MSQOL-54) were assessed. Participants completed 27.9 minutes of exercise per session, with an 85.1% attendance rate. Evaluation using the Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed no deleterious effects and improved results on the BDI-II and MSQOL-54 mental subscale. Analysis of change scores using the one-sample t test revealed that the BDI-II and MSQOL-54 were changed from zero after structured exercise, but only the BDI-II maintained improvement after unstructured physical activity. Further analysis of BDI-II subscales revealed that improvement occurred only in the Somato-Affective subscale. In this study, program feasibility was demonstrated in several ways. There were no declines in cognitive function over the 5-month period. Despite unchanged cognitive function, participants may value the improved mood enough to continue both the structured and unstructured physical activity. The role of unstructured physical activity in concert with periodic structured exercise programs merits further investigation.

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