The Effects of a Dyadic Intervention on Physical Activity Levels and Patterns in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Care-Partners: A Pilot Case Study

Abstract

Physical activity is one approach that may help manage the symptoms experienced by personswith MS and the burden faced by their care-partners. This thesis examined: i) the efficacy of aphysical activity intervention for increasing physical activity in dyads affected by moderate-to-severe MS; and (ii) the interdependence in physical activity in MS-care-partner dyads. A 12-week, randomized pilot feasibility trial was conducted in five (two intervention; three control)MS-care-partner dyads. Participants self-reported physical activity and wore an accelerometerfor 7-days at baseline and 12-weeks (i.e., follow-up). A large effect of the intervention wasobserved on self-reported physical activity (d= 0.98) and time spent sedentary (d= -1.26). Mostcorrelations in physical activity within dyads were moderate-to-strong at baseline (rs range=0.33-0.72) and over time (rs range= 0.40-0.80). The results from this pilot case study lay thefoundation for larger physical activity interventions in dyads affected by MS