Program Evaluation Results of a Structured Group Exercise Program in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Charlton ◽  
Kelley Pettee Gabriel ◽  
Terry Munsinger ◽  
Lorene Schmaderer ◽  
Kathleen M. Healey
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Rigorous Study ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Although research-based and anecdotal evidence support the beneficial role of physical activity in symptom management among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), the integration of physical activity into the lifestyles of people with disabilities remains a challenge. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and perceived effectiveness of a group Jazzercise program that was modified to fit the needs of individuals with MS. The study population included patients diagnosed with definite MS who were receiving care at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Eleven of 14 initial participants remained in the program after 16 weeks and were mailed a short anonymous questionnaire designed to assess self-reported improvement in balance, confidence, coordination, energy, flexibility, mood, and strength, and to determine satisfaction and motivation to continue the course. Nine of the 11 participants (82%) at week 16 returned the survey. Of the nine respondents, all (100%) reported improvements in mood and energy, seven (77.8%) reported improvements in confidence, six (66.7%) reported improvements in flexibility and strength, and five (55.6%) reported improvements in balance and coordination. All nine respondents indicated that they enjoyed the class and were motivated to continue the program. The results provide justification for continued evaluation of this unique structured group exercise program in individuals with MS. A larger sample size and a more rigorous study design are needed to further examine the impact of the program on physiologic and psychosocial factors in individuals with MS.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Required Undergraduate Health and Wellness Course on Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Physical Activity and Chronic Disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usha Kuruganti
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Capstone Course ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Wellness Course ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

As part of the undergraduate curriculum, the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) requires all students to take an undergraduate course in physical activity, health and wellness in their third year of study. This capstone course allows students to integrate concepts from their program regarding physical activity, fitness, and wellness. While students have anecdotally indicated that this course has improved their knowledge of health and wellness, this data had not been quantitatively assessed previously. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the course on students’ views of the impact of physical activity on disease and overall health and wellness. A survey was administered to the students enrolled in the course at the beginning and again at the end of the semester. The survey requested data in four categories; 1) the demographics of the student, 2) students’ knowledge of health agencies and guidelines, 3) students’ physical activity, health and wellness awareness and 4) students’ self-assessment of their knowledge of physical activity and chronic disease. The data showed that, at the end of the course, students felt that they improved in three areas; 1) their knowledge of health agencies and guidelines, 2) their awareness of physical activity and its impact on health and wellness and 3) their knowledge of physical activity and chronic disease. The results of this work provided information on the impact of a required health and wellness course on students’ knowledge of health and suggested that the material in the course helped their overall understanding of health. 

scholarly journals An Evaluation of the University of Illinois Extension Get Up & Move! Program

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-131
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Halpin ◽  
Susan M. Farner ◽  
Stephen J. Notaro ◽  
Sheri Seibold ◽  
Pat McGlaughlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
University Of Illinois ◽  
Youth Leaders ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Get Up & Move! is a program created by University of Illinois Extension to address childhood obesity. It provides ready-to-use materials for youth leaders to promote healthy lifestyles through physical fitness and healthy eating. The impact of the program on participants’ physical activity was evaluated to see whether involvement produces an increase in physical activity to the USDA recommended 60 minutes per day. It was found that a significant increase in minutes of physical activity occurred in participants from an average of 51.88 minutes per day to an average of 58.84 minutes per day.

scholarly journals The ‘new normal’ includes online prenatal exercise: Exploring pregnant women’s experiences during the pandemic and the role of virtual group fitness on maternal mental health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Silva-Jose ◽  
Taniya S Nagpal ◽  
Javier Coterón ◽  
Ruben Barakat ◽  
Michelle F Mottola
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Exercise Classes ◽  
Prenatal Exercise ◽  
Online Group

Abstract Background: Prenatal anxiety and depressive symptoms have significantly increased since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Furthermore, home confinement regulations have caused a drastic increase in time spent sedentary. Online group fitness classes may be an effective strategy that can increase maternal physical activity and improve mental health outcomes by providing an opportunity for social connectedness. The present study explores the experiences of pregnant women who participated in an online group exercise program during the pandemic and identifies relationships with maternal mental health and well-being. In addition, we present person-informed recommendations on how to improve the delivery of future online prenatal exercise programs.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pregnant women (8-39 weeks of pregnancy) who participated in an online group exercise program, from March to October 2020 in Spain. A phenomenological approach was taken, and open-ended questions were asked to understand women’s experiences throughout the pandemic and the role the online exercise classes may have had on their physical activity levels, mental health, and other health behaviours such as diet. A thematic analysis was performed to evaluate data. In addition, women completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and these data supplemented qualitative findings. Results: Twenty-four women were interviewed, and the average STAI score was 32.23 ± 9.31, ranging from low to moderate anxiety. Thematic analysis revealed that women felt safe exercising from home, an increased availability of time to schedule a structured exercise class, and consequently an improvement in their adherence to the program and other behaviours (i.e., healthier diet). Women emphasized feeling connected to other pregnant women when they exercised online together, and overall, this had a positive effect on their mental well-being. Women suggested that future online exercise programs should include flexible options, detailed instructions and facilitation by a qualified exercise professional.Conclusion: Pregnant women are receptive to online group exercise classes and expressed that these are an accessible option to accommodating physical activity during the pandemic. In addition, the online group environment provides an important sense of connectivity among pregnant women exercising together and this may mitigate the detrimental effect of COVID-19 on maternal mental health.

Food Insecurity in an Urban Pregnancy Cohort

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirby Sullivan ◽  
Meghan St John ◽  
Emily DeFranco ◽  
Elizabeth Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Annual Household Income ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The University

Objective Food insecurity is a prominent problem and has been implicated in adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aims to describe the food insecure population in an urban academic health center perinatal cohort. Study Design We enrolled 451 postpartum inpatients at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who completed a questionnaire and were then categorized as food insecure based on U.S. Department of Agriculture standardized survey questions. Generalized linear models estimated the relative influence of maternal characteristics on food insecurity. Results Among the study population (n = 426), 18.6% (95% confidence interval: 15.2–22.4%) were classified as food insecure. Factors with increased adjusted relative risk on food insecurity include annual household income <$40,000, obesity, and smoking. Food insecure women also reported lower levels of love, satisfaction, and joy, and higher levels of despair. Conclusion We recommend the use of a validated screening tool on all pregnant women with the associated psychosocial stressors and social determinants of health. Key Points

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

scholarly journals Factors for Lower Walking Speed in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro Alberto Calazans Nogueira ◽  
Luciano Teixeira dos Santos ◽  
Pollyane Galinari Sabino ◽  
Regina Maria Papais Alvarenga ◽  
Luiz Claudio Santos Thuler
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Motor Planning ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective. The purpose of this study was to analyze factors related to lower walking speed in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The study participants were 120 consecutive PwMS, who were able to walk, even with device assistance. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Walking speed was measured in 10 m walk test. Possible factors were assessed: disability, fatigue, visual functioning, balance confidence, physical activity level, walking impact, cognitive interference, and motor planning. A forward linear multiple regression analysis examined the correlation with lower speed.Results. Lower walking speed was observed in 85% of the patients. Fatigue (41%), recurrent falls (30%), and balance problems were also present, even with mild disability (averageEDSS=2.68). A good level of physical activity was noted in most of the subjects. Dual-task procedure revealed 11.58% of walking speed reduction. Many participants (69.57%) imagined greater walking speed than motor execution (mean ≥ 28.42%). Physical activity level was the only characteristic that demonstrated no significant difference between the groups (lower versus normal walking speed). Many mobility measures were correlated with walking speed; however, disability, balance confidence, and motor planning were the most significant.Conclusions. Disability, balance confidence, and motor planning were correlated with lower walking speed.

scholarly journals Impact of ERAS compliance on the delay between surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy in hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies

2020 ◽  
Vol 405 (7) ◽  
pp. 959-966
Author(s):  
Pénélope St-Amour ◽  
Pascal St-Amour ◽  
Gaëtan-Romain Joliat ◽  
Aude Eckert ◽  
Ismail Labgaa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Enhanced Recovery ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Colorectal Metastases ◽  
Liver Malignancies ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Eras Protocol ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Multidisciplinary approach with adjuvant chemotherapy is the key element to provide optimal outcomes in pancreas and liver malignancies. However, post-operative complications may increase the interval between surgery and chemotherapy with negative oncologic effects. Hypothesis and study aim The aim of the study was to analyse whether compliance to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway was associated with decreased interval to adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods Retrospective analysis of all consecutive ERAS patients with surgery for hepatobiliary or pancreatic malignancies at the University Hospital of Lausanne between 2012 and 2016. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the impact of ERAS compliance on time to chemotherapy. Results A total of 133 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy were included (n = 44 liver and n = 89 pancreatic cancer). Median compliance to ERAS was 61% (IQR 55–67) for the study population, and median delay to chemotherapy was 49 days (IQR 39-61). Overall, compliance ≥ 67% to ERAS induced a significant reduction in the interval between surgery and chemotherapy for young patients (< 65 years old) with or without severe comorbidities (reduction of 22 and 10 days, respectively). High compliance in young ASA3 patients with liver colorectal metastases was associated with an increase of 481 days of DFS. Conclusions ERAS compliance ≥ 67% tends to be associated with a reduction in the delay to adjuvant chemotherapy for young patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. More prospective studies with strict adhesion to the ERAS protocol are needed to confirm these results.

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