Physical Activity Together for MS: Pilot Study of a Dyadic Telerehabilitation Intervention for People with Moderate-to-Severe Multiple Sclerosis Disability and their Family Caregivers

Studies

Study Title: Physical Activity Together for MS: Pilot Study of a Dyadic Telerehabilitation Intervention for People with Moderate-to-Severe Multiple Sclerosis Disability and their Family Caregivers
Rationale: MS has life-changing effects for people with the disease and their support partners. Support partners are family members or close friends who provide most of the informal support for people with MS, particularly those with substantial disability. Physical activity is beneficial for all people, yet people affected with MS and their support partners find regular physical activity challenging. The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a dyadic physical activity intervention for people with MS and their support partners.
Study Description: Researchers at the University of Ottawa are seeking volunteers to participate in a study examining the feasibility and effects of an online physical activity intervention on physical activity levels and other outcomes for people with MS and their support partners. The study will examine the effects of the program for both the person with MS and their support partners as individuals and as a partnership. Support partners may be family members or close friends.

If you are interested and choose to participate, you would randomly be placed into one of two groups:

Group 1:

12-week videoconference (via Zoom) physical activity program consisting of:

  • 6 group videoconferencing sessions (~60 min each) every other week for 12 weeks
  • Brief one-on-one support calls (~15 min) on weeks without a videoconference

Group 2:

Wait-list in which you carry on with your usual activities (you will be invited to take part in the physical activity program after the wait period).

Additionally, you will be asked to complete two online surveys (via SurveyMonkey). Surveys will be conducted at:

  • Baseline (before the program begins)
  • 12 weeks (after the program ends)
Who can participate: Who can participate:
• People living with MS who are 18 years of age or older, relapse-free in the past 30-days, and experience some MS difficulty (e.g., walking, cognitive challenges, sensory problems, etc.) may be eligible to participate.
• Care-partners (family members or close friends) who are 18 years of age or older and regularly support someone living with MS may be eligible to participate.
• All prospective participants must not currently be exercising on a regular basis.
• Eligible individuals will be selected on a first come, first served basis.
Recruitment Dates: March 1, 2021 – April 1, 2022
Location of Trial: Canada Wide
Contact Information: Clinical Exercise Physiology Lab, uOttawa
cepl@uottawa.ca
Trial Funding: Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada