Severe MS and Exercise qualitative study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Designing physical activity interventions for people with moderate to severe multiple sclerosis - a qualitative study.

• IRAS ID

  143836

• Contact name

  Basil Sharrack

• Contact email

  Basil.Sharrack@sth.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

• Research summary

  Aim
  The aim of this study is to determine what type of physical activity may be feasible for people with higher levels of disability due to MS with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) Score of 6.0-8.0, whilst determining their exercise preferences and exploring their attitudes and possible barriers towards physical activity.

  What is the reason for this study?
  People with MS who have more severe disability may have difficulty reaching beneficial levels of activity, leading to an increased risk of other complications associated with inactivity such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, isolation and depression. However, even small increases in levels of activity could have a positive impact on physical and mental health.

  Despite a number of research studies into exercise for people with mild to moderate levels of disabilities due to MS over the last 10 to 15 years, there has been very little exercise research for those with more severe disability from MS. Studies so far have generally been small and of poor design, or have not had exercise as their main focus. However, despite this,research does indicate that people with more severe MS may experience important favorable health outcomes from participation in appropriate exercise programmes. Further high quality research trials are needed to guide optimal exercise prescription in this patient group to enable effective tailored advice to be given.

  How will this project be carried out?
  This research will seek the views of 20 people with more severe MS using semi-structured telephone interviews. The information will be collated and used to inform the design of future physical activity interventions that can be used to guide regular physical activity for people with more severe MS.

• REC name

  London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/LO/1591

• Date of REC Opinion

  19 Sep 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion