Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Aug 12;20(16):6567.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20166567.

Results of the MOVE MS Program: A Feasibility Study on Group Exercise for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Brynn Adamson  1 , Nic Wyatt  2 , Latashia Key  3 , Carrena Boone  1 , Robert W Motl  4
Affiliations

Results of the MOVE MS Program: A Feasibility Study on Group Exercise for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Brynn Adamson et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Exercise improves a wide range of symptoms experienced by those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and may foster community and a positive sense of disability identity. However, exercise rates remain low. Sustained exercise participation has the greatest likelihood of improving symptoms and requires a theory-based approach accounting for the barriers faced by people with MS that impede exercise participation long-term. MOVE MS is a once weekly group exercise program based on Social Cognitive Theory supporting long-term exercise participation through peer instruction, behavior change education, multiple exercise modalities, and seated instruction. This feasibility study evaluated MOVE MS with a 7-month trial. The primary scientific outcome was exercise participation and the secondary outcomes were MS symptoms/impact, self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, disability identity, and quality of life, among others. We further conducted semi-structured formative interviews post-intervention. Thirty-three participants began the program. The onset of COVID-19 necessitated a shift toward online delivery. Seventeen participants completed the program. There were non-significant improvements in exercise participation (Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, baseline mean = 14.2 (SD = 11.8), post-intervention mean = 16.6 (SD = 11.2), F-value = 0.53 (Partial Eta2 = 0.08), and several secondary outcomes (including the MS Impact Scale, MS Walking Scale, and the Leeds MS Quality of Life Scale). Sixteen participants were interviewed, and analysis yielded five themes on program components and feedback. MOVE MS-delivered in-person or online-may be a feasible option for long-term exercise programming for people with MS.

Keywords: disabled persons; exercise; feasibility study; multiple sclerosis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Program Timeline.
Figure 2
Figure 2
PRISMA Diagram.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cohort-by-cohort flow through MOVE MS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Ensari I., Motl R.W., Pilutti L.A. Exercise training improves depressive symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis: Results of a meta-analysis. J. Psychosom. Res. 2014;76:465–471. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.03.014. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Pilutti L.A., Greenlee T.A., Motl R.W., Nickrent M.S., Petruzzello S.J. Effects of exercise training on fatigue in multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Psychosom. Med. 2013;75:575–580. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e31829b4525. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Motl R.W., Pilutti L.A. The benefits of exercise training in multiple sclerosis. Nat. Rev. Neurol. 2012;8:487–497. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2012.136. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Motl R.W., Pilutti L.A. Is physical exercise a multiple sclerosis disease modifying treatment? Expert Rev. Neurother. 2016;16:951–960. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1193008. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Latimer-Cheung A.E., Ginis K.A.M., Hicks A.L., Motl R.W., Pilutti L.A., Duggan M., Wheeler G., Persad R., Smith K.M. Development of evidence-informed physical activity guidelines for adults with multiple sclerosis. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2013;94:1829–1836. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.05.015. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types