The Effect of Remotely Delivered Pilates on Physical , and Psychological Outcomes in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis

Does Remotely Delivered Pilates Influence Physical and Psychological Outcomes in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis?

Objectives Objective 1: To determine the effects of a 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention on walking endurance, walking speed, balance, fatigue, and pain compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.

Objective 2: To examine the impact of a 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention on depression & anxiety, cognitive function, and QOL compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.

Aim Aim 1: To assess whether the 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention significantly improves walking endurance, walking speed, balance, fatigue, and pain compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS Aim 2: To investigate whether the 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention significantly improves depression & anxiety, cognitive function, and QOL compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.

Hypothesis Hypothesis 1: The 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention will significantly improve walking endurance, walking speed, balance, fatigue, and pain compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.

Hypothesis 2: Participants receiving the 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention will demonstrate significantly greater improvements in depression & anxiety, cognitive function, and QOL compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.

The current study will determine the feasibility and efficacy of a 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention for improving physical and psychological outcomes, and QOL, compared with a control condition, in individuals with MS. This represents a significant step forward in examining Pilates as an accessible, complementary therapy in MS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older
• Self-reported diagnosis of multiple sclerosis by a neurologist
• Relapse-free for the past 30 days before screening
• Able to speak and read English as the primary language
• Access to the internet and e-mail,
• Ability to use Zoom, and willingness to complete testing sessions and questionnaires
• Ambulatory without an assistive device (for example, cane)
• Low to moderate disability, defined as a score of 0-4 on the Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS)
• Insufficiently active, defined as a score < 14 on the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire-Health Contribution Score (GLTEQ-HCS)
• Adequate visual ability and literacy to read materials printed in 14-point font
• Currently treated with a disease-modifying therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant
• Elevated risk for strenuous or maximal exercise, defined as more than one "Yes" response on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) during screening