Overview
Objectives Objective 1: To determine the effects of a 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention on walking endurance, walking speed, balance, fatigue, and pain compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.
Objective 2: To examine the impact of a 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention on depression \& anxiety, cognitive function, and QOL compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.
Aim Aim 1: To assess whether the 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention significantly improves walking endurance, walking speed, balance, fatigue, and pain compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS Aim 2: To investigate whether the 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention significantly improves depression \& anxiety, cognitive function, and QOL compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.
Hypothesis Hypothesis 1: The 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention will significantly improve walking endurance, walking speed, balance, fatigue, and pain compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.
Hypothesis 2: Participants receiving the 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention will demonstrate significantly greater improvements in depression \& anxiety, cognitive function, and QOL compared to a waitlist control group in individuals with MS.
Description
The current study will determine the feasibility and efficacy of a 16-week remotely delivered Pilates intervention for improving physical and psychological outcomes, and QOL, compared with a control condition, in individuals with MS. This represents a significant step forward in examining Pilates as an accessible, complementary therapy in MS.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18 years or older
- Self-reported diagnosis of multiple sclerosis by a neurologist
- Relapse-free for the past 30 days before screening
- Able to speak and read English as the primary language
- Access to the internet and e-mail,
- Ability to use Zoom, and willingness to complete testing sessions and questionnaires
- Ambulatory without an assistive device (for example, cane)
- Low to moderate disability, defined as a score of 0-4 on the Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS)
- Insufficiently active, defined as a score \< 14 on the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire-Health Contribution Score (GLTEQ-HCS)
- Adequate visual ability and literacy to read materials printed in 14-point font
- Currently treated with a disease-modifying therapy
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant
- Elevated risk for strenuous or maximal exercise, defined as more than one "Yes" response on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) during screening
