Physical Activity Intervention for Improving Vascular Comorbidity Risk in Multiple Sclerosis

Physical Activity Intervention for Improving Vascular Comorbidity Risk in Multiple Sclerosis

Vascular comorbidities, such as high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, are common among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and can negatively impact disease diagnosis, treatment, and progression. Physical inactivity may be one possible reason for this increased risk and may occur through changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (the ability of the body to transport and use oxygen during sustained physical activity). While exercise training is effective for improving fitness, factors such as accessibility to facilities and financial cost may not make it a viable option for most people with MS. An alternative approach for improving fitness is by increasing daily physical activity levels. The research team has developed and tested an Internet-delivered lifestyle physical activity intervention that has been shown to improve physical activity levels among people with MS. This lifestyle intervention is a promising approach for also increasing fitness and managing vascular comorbidity risk in persons with MS. This randomized clinical trial will examine the efficacy of a 6-month lifestyle physical activity intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness and vascular comorbidity risk in persons with MS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
• Relapse-free in the past 30 days
• Stable course of disease modifying therapy over the past 6 months
• Being non-active, defined as not engaging in regular exercise (i.e., ≥30 minutes/day on >2 days/week during the last 6 months)
• Internet access
• Ability to comprehend study materials and communicate in English
• Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score <6.0
• Willingness to complete three testing sessions at the University of Ottawa separated by 6 months
• Willing to undergo randomization to a lifestyle physical activity condition or general wellness condition for 6 months
• Intermediate risk level for cardiovascular disease based on the Framingham Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score calculator
• Asymptomatic (i.e., no major signs or symptoms of acute or uncontrolled cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal disease; e.g., chest pain) based on the Get Active Questionnaire and the health history section of the American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health/Fitness Facility Pre-participation Screening Questionnaire
• Physician approval for participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Previous enrollment in lifestyle physical activity behaviour interventions