Immediate and Sustained Effects of Interventions for Changing Physical Activity in People with Multiple Sclerosis: Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Yumi Kim, Tapan Mehta, Byron Lai and 1 others
PMID 32343973WHAT IT FOUND
Interventions significantly increased physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis, with behavioral coaching alone showing the largest effect.
However, gains were smaller when measured by devices rather than self-report, and long-term maintenance data was limited.
Key findings
01Interventions produced a moderate, statistically significant increase in physical activity levels immediately after the program compared to control groups.
02Behavioral interventions alone yielded a larger immediate effect on physical activity than exercise training or combined interventions.
03Self-reported physical activity outcomes showed a moderate effect size, whereas device-measured outcomes showed only a small effect.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Most participants had mild-to-moderate disability; only one study included wheelchair users, so results may not apply to those with severe mobility limitations. Sustained effects were based on only 7 studies, limiting confidence in long-term maintenance. There was a significant difference between self-reported and device-measured outcomes, suggesting potential overestimation of effect in studies relying solely on questionnaires. The protocol was not registered before commencement.
Declared interests
No specific funding sources or conflicts of interest are detailed in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the moderate effect size applies equally to all measurement types. The effect drops significantly when physical activity is measured by devices rather than self-report, indicating that perceived or reported changes may not fully translate to objective behavior.