Considerations for Implementing a Health & Wellness Program for People With MS

Background:  Current evidence suggests that regular exercise for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is safe, and is likely necessary for preventing or decreasing the secondary deconditioning that results from the MS.  People with MS who desire exercise, however, are often challenged by barriers including inaccessible gyms or equipment, lack of knowledge about how to safely exercise with MS, and lack of understanding about the types of exercise that would be beneficial.  Therefore, an exercise and education program was designed specifically for people with MS in an outpatient MS Institute. Group exercise and education classes are coordinated by a physical therapist and an exercise physiologist.  This program is provided in such a way as to also reduce the financial barrier often imposed by the need for skilled rehabilitation, or fitness centers and gyms.

Objectives:  This presentation will describe a program combining physical therapy and exercise science approaches to providing an exercise and education program for people with MS, and describe the financial model used for making this a viable program. 

Methods:  Participants can be referred to the exercise and education program, or can self-refer.  Clinical outcome measures are collected before initiation of the exercise and education program, and at 3 and 6 months post-initiation.  Specific measures include those related to cardiorespiratory, body composition, metabolic function, and quality of life.  Education classes are suggested based on each participant’s needs, and are provided by clinicians affiliated with the MS Institute. 

Results:  This delivery model appears to offer a financially viable option for some people with MS. 

Conclusions: An outpatient MS exercise and education program may provide people with MS an alternative method for exercising that is feasible and viable in an outpatient setting.