Highlights
- •Physician referral enhances adherence to physical activity.
- •Higher exercise self-efficacy is associated with higher physical activity adherence.
- •Baseline fitness, function or EDSS score did not affect physical activity adherence.
Abstract
Background
Methods
Results
Interpretation
Trial registration
Keywords
1. Introduction
- Heesen C.
- Bruce J.
- Gearing R.
- et al.
mssociety.ca. [Internet]. Toronto: multiple sclerosis society of Canada; c2018 [cited2018Aug 10]. Available from: https://mssociety.ca/support-services/programs-and-services/recreation-and-social-programs/physical-activity/the-guidelines.
- Canning K.L.
- Hicks A.L.
2. Methods
2.1 Participants

2.2 Physician referral
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. Physical activity guidelines for adults with ms. http://www.csep.ca/en/guidelines/physical-activity-guidelines-for-special-populations (2012, accessed 27 March 2018).
2.3 Demographics and questionnaires
2.4 Peak aerobic capacity
2.5 Muscle strength
2.6 Mobility
2.7 Adherence to PAGs
2.8 Data analyses
3. Results
3.1 Participant characteristics
Characteristic | Mean ± SD | |
---|---|---|
REF (n == 42) | CON (n == 37) | |
Age (y) | 46.8 ± 10.5 | 48.9 ± 10.3 |
Female (N,%) | 26 (63) | 22 (63) |
EDSS | 3.5 ± 1.8 | 3.5 ± 1.8 |
Time Since Diagnosis (y) | 10.9 ± 8.9 | 13.8 ± 11.1 |
RRMS (N,%) | 27 (66) | 23 (59) |
3.2 Adherence
- Canning K.L.
- Hicks A.L.
- Canning K.L.
- Hicks A.L.

3.3 Baseline characteristics in adherers and non-adherers
Characteristic | Mean ± SD | p Value | |
---|---|---|---|
Adherers (n == 30) | Non-Adherers (n == 49) | ||
Age (y) | 49.7 ± 8.1 | 46.6 ± 11.4 | p == 0.179 |
EDSS | 3.6 ± 1.7 | 3.5 ± 1.9 | p == 0.781 |
Time Since Diagnosis (y) | 12.6 ± 8.1 | 12.0 ± 11.1 | p == 0.816 |
VO2 Peak (ml/kg/min) | 13.8 ± 5.6 | 14.1 ± 4.2 | p == 0.783 |
Composite Strength (1RM, kg) | 16.4 ± 5.0 | 17.0 ± 5.7 | p == 0.626 |
25FTW Speed (m/s) | 1.4 ± 0.5 | 1.2 ± 0.5 | p == 0.258 |
MFIS-5 | 11.0 ± 4.5 | 11.0 ± 3.3 | p == 0.964 |
Physical Health QOL | 53.5 ± 17.8 | 51.8 ± 16.7 | p == 0.320 |
Mental Health QOL | 68.2 ± 15.3 | 61.5 ± 21.3 | p == 0.681 |
3.4 Self-Efficacy
Characteristic | Mean ± SD | pvalue | |
---|---|---|---|
Adherers (n == 30) | Non-Adherers (n == 49) | ||
Total Score 1 | 64.5 ± 7.3 | 60.6 ± 8.4 | p == 0.078 |
Total Score 2 | 27.5 ± 1.6 | 24.0 ± 4.6 | p < 0.0001 |
Total Score 3 | 13.7 ± 0.8 | 11.6 ± 2.4 | p < 0.0001 |
Total Score 4 | 27.2 ± 2.1 | 22.9 ± 5.9 | p < 0.0001 |
Total Score 5 | 34.1 ± 2.3 | 28.8 ± 6.7 | p < 0.0001 |
3.5 Significant predictors for adherence
4. Discussion
- Heesen C.
- Bruce J.
- Gearing R.
- et al.
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. Physical activity guidelines for adults with ms. http://www.csep.ca/en/guidelines/physical-activity-guidelines-for-special-populations (2012, accessed 27 March 2018).
4.1 Limitations
5. Conclusions
Declaration of Competing Interest
Funding
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