Views on physical activity following a relapse in people with MS -V0.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Attitudes, barriers and facilitators to physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis following a relapse.
IRAS ID
248619
Contact name
Caroline McGraw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
City, University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 4 days
Research summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults. Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) is the most frequent form of MS at the time of diagnosis characterised by relapses, followed by remission. Relapses can result in a sudden change in physical or cognitive symptoms, often impacting a person's ability to function with family, friends and work.
The NICE Clinical Guidelines for MS recommend encouraging people with MS to exercise regularly but does not provide specific advice on whether exercise should be undertaken during a relapse. Despite the wealth of literature documenting the benefits of exercise for people with MS insufficient evidence exists about exercise during relapse. Research has improved our understanding of what helps people with MS to be physically active and difficulties people encounter but has not provided evidence for how this is affected by a relapse.
The aim of this study is to understand the attitudes of people with MS to physical activity following relapse, including factors that help them to be active and barriers to physical activity. The information gathered will be useful to inform future research and guide the advice health professionals may offer.
15 adults with RRMS who have had a relapse in the preceding four months will be recruited if their Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is <7 (EDSS scale is used to quantify disability in MS and monitor changes in the level of disability over time) and they agree to being audio–recorded at interviews. The recruitment will take place at the weekly MS relapse clinic at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Participants will be asked to complete two questionnaires, answer demographic questions and spend one hour being interviewed by a researcher. It is anticipated the recruitment and interviews be carried out within five months.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1519
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion