Exploring physical activity behaviour of persons with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly impacts physical activity (PA) levels.
• Understanding the psychological and environmental factors influencing PA in MS is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify facilitators and barriers to PA in individuals with MS.
• To evaluate the utility of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC) in explaining PA behavior in MS.
• To inform the development of targeted PA interventions for persons with MS.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews with 13 participants with MS, categorized by PA level (active, sometimes active, inactive).
• Analysis using analytical induction, coding data into pre-established SCT and TMSC constructs.
• Exploration of similarities and differences in PA behavior drivers between participant groups.

Main Results:

• Significant differences observed in self-regulation, self-efficacy, and coping styles between active and inactive participants.
• Key barriers to PA included MS symptoms and the physical/social environment.
• Facilitators of PA comprised strong self-regulation, confidence in overcoming symptoms (barrier self-efficacy), and positive coping strategies.

Conclusions:

• PA interventions for MS should integrate strategies addressing self-efficacy, social environment, and coping styles.
• SCT and TMSC provide valuable frameworks for understanding PA in MS, though limitations exist regarding health and cognition integration.
• Future research should focus on incorporating health and function models into existing behavior change theories for MS populations.