Randomized controlled pilot study of customized pamphlets to promote physical activity and symptom self-management in women with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a customized print-based intervention to promote physical activity and symptom self-management in women with multiple sclerosis.

DESIGN

A randomly allocated two-group repeated measures design, with a delayed-treatment contact group serving as the control. Participants were randomized to receive the intervention immediately (n =14) or receive it at week 12 (n =16). Outcome measures were administered at weeks 1, 12, and 24.

SETTING

Community-based in metropolitan area.

SUBJECTS

Thirty women with multiple sclerosis.

INTERVENTION

Prescribing a home-exercise program and following up with customized pamphlets, which are matched to participants' stage of readiness to change physical activity behavior and physical activity barriers (e.g. encouraging self-management of symptoms).

MAIN MEASURES

Physical Activity and Disability Survey-revised, Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, SF-12, Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Scale, and 6-minute walk test.

RESULTS

Intent-to-treat analyses using mixed multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were conducted on (1) physical activity levels and (2) health and function outcomes. The mixed MANOVAs for physical activity levels and health and function outcomes indicated significant improvements in the immediate group compared with the delayed group (i.e. condition by time interaction was significant, Wilks' λ = 0.59, F(2, 27) = 9.31, P = 0.001 and Wilks' λ = 0.70, F(4, 25) = 2.72, P = 0.052, respectively). The intervention had moderate to large effect sizes in improving physical activity levels (d = 0.63 to 0.89), perceptions of physical function (d = 0.63), and 6-minute walk test (d=0.86).

CONCLUSION

This pilot study indicates that a customized print-based intervention shows promise in improving physical activity levels and health and function in women with multiple sclerosis.