To investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a group self-management exercise and education program in people with multiple sclerosis.
Design
Feasibility randomised controlled trial.
Setting
Outpatient rehabilitation facility.
Subjects
Twenty-three adults (age 48.6 (11.7) years) recruited from a Multiple Sclerosis Clinic register.
Interventions
The intervention group undertook a 12-week group program incorporating behaviour change education, exercise and community integration. This was compared with a waitlist control group.
Main measures
Feasibility was measured by recruitment, adherence and safety. Efficacy outcomes included measures of physical function (6-metre and 6-min walk, Functional Reach) and self-report questionnaires (fatigue, quality of life, exercise benefits and barriers) at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 weeks.
Results
Of 74 individuals identified through the register, 48 (65%) were contacted and deemed eligible, and 23 (48%) agreed to participate. There was high adherence for attendance at education (57 of 72, 79%) and exercise (135 of 174, 78%) sessions. No adverse safety events occurred within the intervention sessions. Missed attendances at assessment sessions was high (5 to 8 participants missed at each time point) predominately due to health issues. The intervention group demonstrated positive changes in walking endurance, Functional Reach and fatigue, whereas the control had some reductions in walking speed and more perceived exercise barriers.
Conclusions
The MANAGE program appears feasible and safe for people with mild-to-moderate multiple sclerosis, with high adherence to exercise and education sessions. Future trials should consider strategies such as flexible scheduling or alternative methods of data collection to improve follow-up assessment attendance.
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