The Effect of Implementation of a Program to Promote Physical

Activity in the Relationship between Functionality and

Well-being in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Luísa Pedro

, José Pais-Ribeiro

and João Páscoa Pinheiro

ESTESL, IPL, Lisboa, Portugal

FPCE-UP/UIPES, Porto, Portugal

FMUC/CHUC, Coimbra, Portugal

Keywords: Physical Activity, Wellbeing, Multiple Sclerosis, Functionality.

Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the implications of the IPPA in the perception of functionality and

wellbeing in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods - This is a quasi experimental study non-

randomized study with 27 MS patients diagnosed at least 1 year before, and with an EDSS score of under 7.

We used the IPPA in 3 groups of eight people in 3 Portuguese hospitals (Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto). The

sessions were held once a week for 90 minutes, over a period of 7 weeks. The instruments used were: We

asked the subjects the question “Please classify your functionality?” and used the Personal Wellbeing Scale

(PWS) at the beginning (time A) and end (time B) of the IPPA. We used the SPSS version 20. We used the

spearman correlation test for the variable analysis. The intervention followed the recommendations of the

Helsinki Declaration. Results – The Results the correlations between the functionality perception and well-

being, before application of IPPA (r=0.47, p<0.01), and the end of the implementation of IPPA (r=0.63,

p<0.01). The results show that the IPPA improves the correlation between functionality and well-

being.Conclusions - The IPPA can play an important role in modifying the perception of functionality and

personal wellbeing.

1 INTRODUCTION

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the

central nervous system that affects more often young

adults in the prime of his career and personal

development, with no cure and unknown causes. The

most common signs and symptoms are fatigue,

muscle weakness, changes in sensation, ataxia,

changes in balance, gait difficulties, memory

difficulties, cognitive impairment and difficulties in

problem solving (Compston, Coles, 2008; Grima,

Torrance, Francis, Rice, Rosner, Lafortune, 2006).

MS is a relatively common neurological disorder in

which various impairments and disabilities impact

strongly on function and daily life activities.

The increasing the number of people with

chronic illness to live in the community, allows the

involvement of public health, management of

chronic disease, promoting well-being and

functionality of these people. The Promoting

physical activity in people with chronic disease,

such as multiple sclerosis (MS) has an important

role for public health (Asano, Dawes, Arafah,

Moriello, Mayo, 2009).

The aim of this study is implementation of a

program of physical activity to improve the

functionality and well being with patients of

Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

2 METHODS

This is a quasi experimental study, the hypothesis is:

people with MS that practice physical activity have a

better perception of the functionality; people with

MS that practice physical activity increase the well

being.

The study

includes a consecutive sample of 27

MS patients, diagnosed at least one year, and with an

Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (Kurtzke,

1983) score under seven. The sample was divided in

three groups, each group including eight people,

collected sequentially in three Portuguese hospitals

(Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto) with the collaboration

Pedro L., Pais-Ribeiro J. and Pinheiro J..

The Effect of Implementation of a Program to Promote Physical Activity in the Relationship between Functionality and Well-being in Patients with

Multiple Sclerosis.

 2014 SCITEPRESS (Science and Technology Publications, Lda.)

of their personal physician. The sessions were held

once a week for 90 minutes, over a period of seven

weeks.

The IPPA objective is to promote autonomous

physical activity visa a better well being. Each

session aimed: to stimulate group discussion about a

theme related to inability or limitation in physical

activity; to discuss strategies to minimize these

limitations; to define and learn appropriate physical

activities to implement between sessions.

We focus a set of exercises to be used in daily

life activities, according to studies developed with

MS patients (Howe, Gomperts, 2006; Khan, Turner-

Stokes, Kilpatrick , 2007; Rietberg, Brooks,

Uitdehaag, Kwakkel, 2005; Stuifbergen, Blozis,

Harrison, Becker, 2006; White, Dressendorfer ,

2004 ).

The application of the program followed the self

regulation model (Maes & Karol, 2005). This model

includes three procedural phases: the first phase, the

individuals identify and define personal goals they

wish to achieve; the second phase they implement

strategies to achieve pre-set goals; the third phase

they assess if they reach the intended objectives, as

well as maintenance.

The assessment of variables used one question

for disease severity, “Please classify your

functionality?” with an answer in numerical scale

between “0” and “11” and the Personal Wellbeing

Scale (PWS) (Pais Ribeiro & Cummins, 2008), a

one dimensional scale including seven questions

with a classification between “0” and “100”, to

assess well being, at the beginning (time A) and end

(time B) of the IPPA.

We used the Spearman correlation between the

functionality and Wellbeing scale. We used the

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)

version 20. The intervention followed the

recommendations of the Helsinki Declaration.

3 RESULTS

The age range of the subjects was between 20 and

58 years with a mean age of 44 years. 58.3 % were

women, 37.5 % were currently married, 67% were

retired and the mean level of education was 12.5

years.

The Results the correlations between the

functionality perception and well-being, before

application of IPPA (r=0.47, p<0.01), and the end

of the implementation of IPPA (r=0.63, p<0.01).

The results show that the IPPA improves the

correlation between functionality and well-being.

4 CONCLUSIONS

The IPPA can play an important role in modifying

the perception of functionality and personal

wellbeing. Initial hypothesis where confirmed. We

think this program promotion and awareness of the

importance of physical activity, using the conceptual

model of self-regulation, can be very beneficial for

the prevention of disabilities you stay in people with

MS.

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