Exercise Training in Multiple Sclerosis: Preparing for Dissemination and Implementation Based on Integrating the NIH...

Exercise training is safe and offers significant health-related benefits for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet participation in this health behavior is alarmingly low. This might be linked to a confluence of problems within the research pipeline that present challenges for translating exercise training interventions into widespread, real-world practice. This paper suggests an avenue for addressing such challenges by focusing on dissemination and implementation (D&I) science. To do so, the paper adopts the NIH Stage Model of Intervention Development, and uses its perspective to frame the literature on exercise training in MS. Several major methodological considerations within D&I science are highlighted to guide future research within the field. This paper encourages a shift in research focus toward real-world effectiveness and implementation research. Such a shift is critical for advancing the field of exercise training for MS and ensuring that the benefits truly reach a broader population of those living with the disease.