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. 2024 Aug;14(8):e3635.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.3635.

Quality of reporting health behaviors for multiple sclerosis (QuoRH-MS): A scoping review to inform intervention planning and improve consistency of reporting

Yasmine Probst  1 , Emily Kinnane  1
Affiliations

Quality of reporting health behaviors for multiple sclerosis (QuoRH-MS): A scoping review to inform intervention planning and improve consistency of reporting

Yasmine Probst et al. Brain Behav. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to aid those living with MS in managing their disease. Health behavior, or lifestyle modification, is an emerging approach to MS self-management. MS researchers utilize measurement tools to ensure that interventions are best suited to the outcomes, thereby potentially influencing practice. The aim of this study was to investigate which tools are being used for health behavior management studies in people living with MS and develop an aid for tool selection.

Methods: A scoping review guided by the PRISMA-Sc checklist and the JBI manual for evidence synthesis was employed with a systematic search strategy executed across four scientific databases: Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Libraries. The types of assessment tools used were extracted from the included studies. Each tool was categorized into the health behavior intervention discipline (nutrition, exercise, and psychology) and then subcategorized by the tool's purpose. The frequency of use was determined for each tool. Reporting of validation of the assessment tools were collated to inform a tool selection checklist.

Results: The review identified a total of 248 tools (12 nutrition, 55 exercise, and 119 psychology unique reports) from 166 studies. Seventy-seven multidimensional tools were identified including measures of quality of life, fatigue, and functional scales. Only 88 studies (53%) referred to the validity of the tools. The most commonly reported tools were the dietary habits questionnaire (n = 4, nutrition), 6-minute walk test (n = 17, exercise), Symbol Digits and Modalities Test, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (n = 15 each, psychology) with the Expanded Disability Status Scale reported 43 times.

Conclusion: Evidence from interventions may inform practice for health professionals. This review provides insights into the range of tools reported across health behavior intervention studies for MS and offers a guide toward more consistent reporting of study methods.

Keywords: health behavior; neurodegenerative disease; quality; review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The lead author (Y.P.) of this review is a person living with multiple sclerosis and has received honoraria from Multiple Sclerosis Australia and Multiple Sclerosis Plus, funded research from Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia, and contributes to Multiple Sclerosis Australia advisory panels. E.K. does not have any conflicts to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Checklist for multiple sclerosis (MS) lifestyle tool selection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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