Web-Based Physical Activity Resources: Listening to the Voice of People with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: The positive effects of exercise for people with MS (PwMS) are well- established. Despite this, PwMS are largely inactive and at risk due to sedentary lifestyles. PwMS have indicated a need for more information to enable them to become more physically active and the internet is the preferred medium.

Objectives: To investigate what people with MS would like from a web based resource to encourage exercise and physical activity.

Methods: Three focus groups (n= 22) and 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Participants had PDDS scores ranging from 0-7 with a mean of 3.1. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic content analysis was performed.

Results: The themes extracted from the data were: 1) Content, 2) Format 3) Accessibility and 4) Interactivity of the resource. Participants believed the web resource to be a good idea and suggested that the content of resource should include a focus on the knowledge of the benefits of being physically active whilst also illustrating the types of exercise in which pwMS could participate in. Ensuring information was stratified by mobility level and that the resource was interactive, portraying a ‘Sense of Community’ and use of success stories, was also suggested by participants.

Conclusions: The ‘Activity Matters’ project will develop a web resource that aims to enable PwMS to become more physically active using this data and input from a range of stakeholders.