Abstract
Purpose: Physical activity (PA) has been found to be beneficial for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) outside of the relapse period. However, little is known about how people experience PA during a relapse. This study investigates the experiences of pwMS engaging with PA during a relapse.
Materials and methods: The study followed an interpretivist approach, adopting a qualitative explora- tory design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 15 adults following a recent relapse. Transcripts were analysed in NVivo using framework analysis.
Results: The experiences of participants were synthesised in three overarching themes: “on the road to recovery”, “getting active but fearing repercussions”, and “self-directed versus guided recovery”. Barriers to PA included: feeling unwell, physical limitations, concerns about causing deterioration, worries that others would recognise their disability, and lack of professional support. Facilitators included: awareness of the benefits of PA, access to exercise resources, individualised advice and support from practitioners, and PA pitched at the right level.
Conclusions: Relapses can disrupt normal PA routines, making it challenging to return to PA. This article makes recommendations for supporting people to undertake PA, the timing and form of support, along with suggestions for further research exploring the safety of PA during a relapse.
Materials and methods: The study followed an interpretivist approach, adopting a qualitative explora- tory design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 15 adults following a recent relapse. Transcripts were analysed in NVivo using framework analysis.
Results: The experiences of participants were synthesised in three overarching themes: “on the road to recovery”, “getting active but fearing repercussions”, and “self-directed versus guided recovery”. Barriers to PA included: feeling unwell, physical limitations, concerns about causing deterioration, worries that others would recognise their disability, and lack of professional support. Facilitators included: awareness of the benefits of PA, access to exercise resources, individualised advice and support from practitioners, and PA pitched at the right level.
Conclusions: Relapses can disrupt normal PA routines, making it challenging to return to PA. This article makes recommendations for supporting people to undertake PA, the timing and form of support, along with suggestions for further research exploring the safety of PA during a relapse.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2095-2106 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Disability and Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| Early online date | 21 Jun 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
Funding
This study was undertaken as part of the MRes Clinical Research at City, University of London for which HW was funded by North Central London Health Education England. This work was supported in part by a grant towards transcription costs from the London Association of Physiotherapists in Neurology (ACPIN). The authors would like to thank all the participants who gave their time to help with this study.
| Funders |
|---|
| ACPIN |
| London Association of Physiotherapists in Neurology |
| North Central London Health Education England |
VU Research Profile
- Human Health and Life Sciences
- Governance for Society
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