Abstract

Background

People with progressive Multiple Sclerosis often struggle to access appropriate and inclusive support for regular physical activity.

The Lifestyle, Exercise and Activity Package (LEAP-MS) intervention, is a co-designed web-based physical activity intervention for people with progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

It consists of two key components; (1) web-based physical activity coaching with physiotherapists using self-management support strategies and 2) an interactive web-based platform including a physical activity information suite, an activity selection and planning tool and a participant-physiotherapist messaging system.

We aimed to evaluate recruitment, retention and uptake, in a single arm feasibility study.

Methods

Participants with primary or secondary progressive MS with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 6 to 8 were recruited.

Assessments included the MS Impact Scale (MSIS-29) and measures of participation at baseline, three and six months.

All participants received the intervention which consisted of up to six web-based physiotherapy- led physical activity coaching sessions alongside access to web-based education and activity suites.

Recruitment, retention and uptake data were summarised.

Pre-defined progression criteria were used to guide feasibility assessment.

Clinical outcome data were analysed descriptively.

Results

Fifty-eight percent (21/36) of those submitting expressions of interest were recruited; 76% completed follow-up.

Pre-specified progression criteria for retention were met but recruitment did not meet progression criteria.

The intervention achieved set fidelity criteria.

At three months, 12 participants (75%) reported improvements in routine activities after the intervention.

MSIS-29 physical scores improved by an average of eight points (95% CI -12.6 to -3.3).

Improvements were also seen in MSIS-29 psychological scores and fatigue.

Some improvements were maintained at six months.

Conclusions

The LEAP-MS intervention is feasible and associated with improvements in MSIS-29 scores.

The intervention facilitated partnership working between physiotherapists and people with progressive MS.

Users developed valuable skills in supported self-management by focussing on enhancing physical activity to support overall wellbeing.

This work has laid the foundations for a large-scale evaluation of a co-designed intervention with potential for far reaching impact on the lives of people with progressive MS.

Citations

Monica Busse, Rebecca Playl, Julie Latchem-Hastings, Kate Button, Rachel Lowe, Christy Barlow, Barry Lloyd, Andrew Dean-Young, Vincent Poile, Helen Dawes, Freya Davies, Rhian O'Halloran, Emma Tallantyre, Adrian Edwards, Fiona Wood. Fiona Jones. A web-based life-style, exercise and activity intervention for people with progressive multiple sclerosis: Results of a single-arm feasibility study. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 8 November 2021, 103388

Sponsorship: Supported by the NIHR

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.103388

URI: https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/orka/title/a-web-based-life-style-exercise-and-activity-intervention-for-people-with-progressive-multiple-sclerosis-results-of-a-single-arm-feasibility-study/