Randomized Controlled Trial of the Behavioral Intervention for Increasing Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis Project: Secondary, Patient-reported Outcomes

Authors

Robert W. Motl, University of Illinois - Chicago
Brian M. Sandroff, University of Alabama - Birmingham
Lara A. Pilutti, University of Ottawa
Gary R. Cutter, University of Alabama - Birmingham
Roberto Aldunate, Center for Innovation and Applied Research
Ariel Kidwell, University of Alabama - Birmingham
Rachel E. Bollaert, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2023

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Source ISSN

1551-7144

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.107056

Abstract

Background

We undertook a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that investigated the effectiveness of a theory-based, Internet-delivered, behavioral intervention focusing on physical activity promotion for immediate and sustained improvements in secondary, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of function, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Method

Persons with MS (N = 318) were recruited from throughout the United States and randomized into behavioral intervention (n = 159) or attention/social contact control (n = 159) conditions. The conditions were administered over a 6-month period by persons who were uninvolved in screening, recruitment, random assignment, and outcome assessment. There was a 6-month follow-up period without intervention access/content. We collected PROs data every 6 months over the 12-month period. The PROs included validated measures of walking and cognitive function, symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety, pain, and sleep quality, and QOL. The data analysis involved a modified intent-to-treat approach using a linear mixed model in JMP Pro 16.0.

Results

There was a significant group by time interaction on Fatigue Severity Scale scores (p < .01) and physical subscale scores of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (p < .05). Scores on both measures decreased immediately after the 6-month period in the behavioral intervention compared with no change in the control condition, and this differential pattern of change was sustained over the 6-month follow-up. There were no group by time interactions on the other PROs.

Discussion

This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of a novel, widely scalable approach for physical activity promotion and fatigue management in persons with MS, yet this must be contextualized with the absence of improvements in the other PROs.

Comments

Accepted version. Contemporary Clinical Trials, Vol. 124 (February 2023). DOI. © 2023 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Motl, Robert W.; Sandroff, Brian M.; Pilutti, Lara A.; Cutter, Gary R.; Aldunate, Roberto; Kidwell, Ariel; and Bollaert, Rachel E., "Randomized Controlled Trial of the Behavioral Intervention for Increasing Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis Project: Secondary, Patient-reported Outcomes" (2023). Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications. 213.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/exsci_fac/213