Finding Your Stride: Navigating Running With Multiple Sclerosis. A Qualitative Study

Running, while challenging, offers benefits for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Health care professionals (HCPs) can support this activity but may need further training to do so. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to running can help HCPs provide better support. This study aims to explore the running experience of individuals with MS and provide guidance to HCPs to support their patients who run.

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semistructured focus groups and individual interviews. Transcribed data were coded with NVivo software, and inductive thematic analysis was used to identify emergent themes. Demographic and basic running activity data were collected via survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Participants included individuals with MS living in Australia who ran regularly.

Eighteen participants (3 male, 15 female) with a median age of 44 years (IQR, 12.8; range, 31-57) were included in the study. Most participants met or exceeded the general MS aerobic exercise guidelines, running 3 days per week (IQR, 2.0; range, 1-4) for a median duration of 42 minutes per run (IQR, 25; range, 15-243). Five focus groups and 1 individual interview were conducted. Six themes were generated: running ability and adaptation, navigating temperature, ensuring environmental safety, managing health and MS, developing strategies to support running, and the need to run.

HCPs have opportunities to support and sustain running participation for individuals with MS by considering safe training adaptations, environmental safety, and appropriate referrals to other HCPs.