Community for People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pragmatic Feasibility Study.

, a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, has been shown to improve balance and gait in several neurological conditions; however, community-delivered has never been assessed for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The authors assessed the feasibility of community classes for people with MS and explored outcomes of balance, gait, and quality of life (QOL). Twenty adults with MS were randomly assigned to 10 weeks of community classes or wait-list control. Portland, Oregon. People with MS. Community qigong classes. Feasibility criteria included recruitment, retention, adherence, and ability to participate in movements. Secondary outcome measures included physical tests of mobility, gait, and balance and participant-reported mobility, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and QOL. Recruitment of eligible and interested people with MS was feasible. Retention in the trial was 60%. Completers attended a mean of 7 of 10 classes. All completers participated with no or minor modifications to movements. Exploratory within-group analyses showed trends toward improved mental health, QOL, and reduced fatigue and depression. Several participants spontaneously reported improved energy, flexibility, sleep, and mobility. Community may be a feasible form of exercise for people with MS. To improve retention and capture potential effects of on physical function and quality of life, future studies might consider pragmatic trials with tiered level classes, simpler forms of , and/or refined inclusion criteria (CTR#: NCT04585659).