1. "Activity Matters was great - I now realize: if I move, I'm fitter.": development and process evaluation of a web-based program for persons with multiple sclerosis.
- Author
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Daniel, N., Bruns, I., Casey, B., Coote, S., Daubmann, A., Heesen, C., and Riemann-Lorenz, K.
- Subjects
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MULTIPLE sclerosis , *HUMAN services programs , *RESEARCH funding , *T-test (Statistics) , *EVALUATION of human services programs , *INTERVIEWING , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *PILOT projects , *STATISTICAL sampling , *INTERNET , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *THEMATIC analysis , *RESEARCH methodology , *DATA analysis software , *PHYSICAL activity - Abstract
Purpose: Research shows that persons with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis are less physically active than healthy controls even though they would benefit from it. This study focusses on the feasibility testing and process evaluation of the pilot study of ActivityMatters, a twelve-week web-based program, from Ireland, to increase physical activity in this population. Materials and Methods: The intervention was adapted to local circumstances in Hamburg, Germany and consists of eleven modules incorporating behavior change techniques. After feasibility had been confirmed, 43 persons with multiple sclerosis participated in a pilot study with a pre-post, single-group intervention design. Qualitative data was collected with questionnaires and semi structured interviews. Physical activity level and stage of change was measured quantitatively. Results: Participants had a mean age of 49.5 years (SD 9.29) and an average Patient Determined Disease Step Score of 2.2 (SD 1.47). Thirty-six participants answered the follow-up questionnaire. On average 9.8 modules were processed within 13 weeks. Each tool for behavior change was perceived as helpful except the chat group. Physical activity levels increased significantly from pre- to post intervention (p-value 0.042, Cohen's d = 0.35). Conclusions: The results indicate that Activity Matters is feasible and satisfactory and may change activity levels. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Activity Matters provides a twelve-week web-based self-management program to increase PA which is feasible and well accepted by middle aged, mild to moderately impaired persons with MS. Persons with MS in this online program were pleased with the overall content and the self-regulation strategies, however some were seeking for more personal contact and interaction with the study team and other participants. Stronger individualisation of web-based programs to the diverse needs of participants remains a challenge that has to be solved in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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