Effects of a behavioural internet-based after-care program on physical activity and self-concordance in persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Streber R, Gawlik A, Gusowski K, Hartung V, Kuld S, Tallner A, Wanner P, Flachenecker P, Pfeifer K (2018)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Conference contribution, Conference Contribution

Publication year: 2018

Conference Proceedings Title: Multiple Sclerosis Journal

Event location: Amsterdam NL

Abstract

Background: Physical activity and exercise (PA) are an important therapeutic component of inpatient rehabilitation for persons with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). Internet-based interventions appear promising to enable pwMS to maintain motivation and transfer the acquired knowledge and skills for a physically active lifestyle after inpatient rehabilitation. We evaluated the combined effects of a behavioural internet-based PA promotion program after a multimodal MS-specific rehabilitation on PA levels and exercise-related self-concordance in pwMS.

Methods: In this pilot randomized controlled trial, pwMS (age ≥ 18 years, EDSS ≤ 6.0) were randomly assigned after rehabilitation to a three-month intervention (IG), comprising an exercise training module and a blended-learning PA promotion module, or to a control group (CG). The Baecke PA questionnaire and the concordance of sport- and exercise-related goals questionnaire were applied at baseline, at the end of rehabilitation and immediately post-intervention. Within- and between-group changes were analysed with a linear mixed model.

Results: 64 pwMS were included in the data analysis (nIG=34, nCG=30). Both the IG (1.00; 95% CI 0.46 to 1.54, p < 0.001) and the CG (0.62; 95% CI 0.06 to 1.19, p < 0.05) significantly increased PA, but no  between-group differences in mean change of the sport score (0.37; 95% CI - 0.41 to 1.15, p = 0.35) from baseline to post-intervention were observed. Regarding self-concordance, significant within-group changes were present in the IG (0.97; 95% CI 0.07 to 1.86 p < 0.05) in contrast to the CG (-0.44; 95% CI - 1.39 to 0.51, p = 0.36) and between-group difference were significant (1.41; 95% CI 0.10 to 2.7, p < 0.05) from baseline to post-intervention.

Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence for the importance of an after-care program to sustain effects on PA but also on self-concordance as an important determinant for long-term PA levels in pwMS. Longer-lasting programs may have more sustained effects.

Authors with CRIS profile

René Streber Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Angeli Gawlik
Verena Hartung Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Alexander Tallner Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Philipp Wanner Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Klaus Pfeifer Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit

How to cite

APA:

Streber, R., Gawlik, A., Gusowski, K., Hartung, V., Kuld, S., Tallner, A.,... Pfeifer, K. (2018). Effects of a behavioural internet-based after-care program on physical activity and self-concordance in persons with Multiple Sclerosis. In Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Amsterdam, NL.

MLA:

Streber, René, et al. "Effects of a behavioural internet-based after-care program on physical activity and self-concordance in persons with Multiple Sclerosis." Proceedings of the Annual RIMS Conference 2018, Amsterdam 2018.

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