Examining the Effects of a Telehealth Self-management Intervention in Multiple Sclerosis
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
MeSH terms: Multiple Sclerosis; Sclerosis
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The objective of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to examine the
      effectiveness of a telehealth intervention that supports individuals in managing fatigue and
      increasing physical activity (PA) behavior in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The
      hypothesis is that a fatigue management plus physical activity intervention will
      significantly improve fatigue, quality of life, physical function, and community integration.
    

Detailed description: 
      The long-term objective of this study is to use a telehealth intervention approach to reduce
      the devastating effects of the reciprocal relationship between fatigue and inactivity on
      quality of life and participation in life roles in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
      Chronic fatigue and inactivity are common problems in persons with MS, and the reciprocal
      relationship between fatigue and inactivity may have negative synergistic effects on quality
      of life and participation in life roles. The proposed study is novel in that it represents a
      multi-disciplinary effort to merge two promising lines of MS research: fatigue management and
      PA promotion. The proposed fatigue management plus PA intervention (FM+) will consist of
      incorporating a modified teleconference version of Packer et al.'s empirically-tested Fatigue
      Management program with innovative, yet simple approaches to promote lifestyle PA by
      encouraging goal-setting and self-monitoring with a pedometer. Ambulatory individuals with MS
      will be recruited and randomized into one of three telehealth interventions: social support
      intervention, PA-only intervention, and FM+.
    

Intervention name(s): Social Support Program; Physical Activity Program; Physical Activity Plus Fatigue Management Education Program
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The social support program will consist of 6 weekly, 1.25-hours, teleconference calls with 4 biweekly, 15 minute, follow-up one-to-one phone calls. Topics will include information on MS, disease modifying medications, preventive screening, community organizations, nutrition, cognitive problems, and hiring an aide.; The physical activity education program will consist of 3 weekly, 1.25-hours, teleconference calls with 4 biweekly, 15 minute, follow-up one-to-one phone calls. Subjects in this program will learn MS-specific benefits of physical activity, how to use a pedometer to self-monitor their progress for increasing physical activity levels, and learn strategies for maintaining their progress in the program.; The physical activity plus fatigue management education program will consist of 6 weekly, 1.25-hours, teleconference calls with 4 biweekly, 15 minute, follow-up one-to-one phone calls. Subjects in this program will learn MS-specific benefits of physical activity, how to use a pedometer to self-monitor their progress for increasing physical activity levels, and learn strategies for maintaining their progress in the program. In addition, subjects in this course will learn strategies to reduce fatigue, such as taking rest breaks and re-arranging workspace.
Other intervention name(s): Social support; Physical Activity-only; Physical Activity +
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Exercise; Self Care; Fatigue