Community Mobility and Physical Activity Participation in Individuals with Mulitple Sclerosis


Book Description

This thesis incorporates five studies investigating physical activity and community mobility in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). 1. Pedometer step count accuracy was investigated whilst examining activity levels in individuals with neurological disease (n=43). The pedometers significantly under-estimated counts in this group. 2. The test-retest reliability of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was examined. People with MS (n=20) were found to have low activity levels with a test-retest reliability coefficient total PASE score of 0.934 (95% CI=0.62-0.97). 3. An observational study examined physical activity levels in individuals with MS using the PASE. Participants appeared to be less active than healthy individuals (69.6?50.11, 154.3?80.4 respectively). 4. A questionnaire (n=80) and focus group discussions (n=24) were used to gather user opinions regarding physical activity participation. Emerging themes were the desire to be active and the barriers and facilitators to participation. 5. A phase II RCT investigated the feasibility of a physical activity provision support system in people with MS (n=18). The approach successfully resulted in attendance at fitness centres and increased activity levels (but did not reach statistical significance). The 5 studies each present new data in the field. The implications are discussed with suggestions for further research.




Multiple Sclerosis


Book Description

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and often disabling disease of the nervous system, affecting about 1 million people worldwide. Even though it has been known for over a hundred years, no cause or cure has yet been discovered-but now there is hope. New therapies have been shown to slow the disease progress in some patients, and the pace of discoveries about the cellular machinery of the brain and spinal cord has accelerated. This book presents a comprehensive overview of multiple sclerosis today, as researchers seek to understand its processes, develop therapies that will slow or halt the disease and perhaps repair damage, offer relief for specific symptoms, and improve the abilities of MS patients to function in their daily lives. The panel reviews existing knowledge and identifies key research questions, focusing on: Research strategies that have the greatest potential to understand the biological mechanisms of recovery and to translate findings into specific strategies for therapy. How people adapt to MS and the research needed to improve the lives of people with MS. Management of disease symptoms (cognitive impairment, depression, spasticity, vision problems, and others). The committee also discusses ways to build and financially support the MS research enterprise, including a look at challenges inherent in designing clinical trials. This book will be important to MS researchers, research funders, health care advocates for MS research and treatment, and interested patients and their families.




Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation


Book Description

"MS is always in the back of your mind. If there is something you want to do, you always wonder if the MS will allow you do to it." —Darlene, living with MS for 22 years Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is challenging and multidimensional. MS pervades all aspects of life: one’s body becomes unpredictable and unreliable, one’s identity and sense of self are tested, and relationships with others often change. MS symptoms emerge and remit; limitations evolve and progress. MS rehabilitation is an active, person-centered, and goal-oriented process embedded within a respectful and collaborative partnership between the person with MS and the members of his or her rehabilitation treatment team. Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a guiding framework, Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation: From Impairment to Participation provides a comprehensive and evidence-based resource to inform and guide clinical reasoning and decision making during each phase of the MS rehabilitation process, from initial referral to post-discharge follow-up. With an emphasis on the application of evidence throughout the entire MS rehabilitation process, the specific objectives of the book are to increase the understanding of: The nature and impact of specific impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions experienced by people with MS How to select and use valid, reliable, and relevant assessment tools to inform the development of rehabilitation goals and intervention plans, and to evaluate outcomes This book provides information about the nature and impact of MS on the daily lives of people living with the disease, describes evidence-based assessment processes and instruments, and summarizes current knowledge that can inform goal setting and intervention planning. Thoughtful application of the knowledge contained in this book will inform and guide rehabilitation providers to work collaboratively with people with MS and enable them to achieve their goals for participation in everyday life.




Constraint-induced Movement Therapy


Book Description

Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CI therapy) is a behavioral approach to neurorehabilitation based on a program of neuroscience experiments conducted with monkeys. Evidence has accumulated to support the efficacy of CI therapy for rehabilitating hemiparetic arm use in individuals with chronic stroke. This book addresses the related topics.










Physical Activity, Fitness, and Health


Book Description

Can health-care costs be reduced by increasing the overall level of physical activity? What part does heredity play in physical fitness? How does exercise affect the immune system? What is the relationship between physical activity and hypertension?




Nutrition and Lifestyle in Neurological Autoimmune Diseases


Book Description

Nutrition and Lifestyle in Neurological Autoimmune Diseases: Multiple Sclerosis discusses important discoveries relating to the types of, and efficacy of, nutritional and lifestyle responses to symptoms and reoccurrence of MS. Each chapter defines a new approach to use in foods, dietary supplements, exercise, behavior, and/or lifestyle in health promotion and symptoms management for MS. This book presents the role of non-pharmaceutical approaches and is essential reading for neurologists, physicians, nurses, nutritionists, dietitians, healthcare professionals, research scientists, biochemists, and general practitioners. - Presents a comprehensive overview that details the role of nutrition and exercise in Multiple Sclerosis - Written for researchers and clinicians in neurology, neuroscience, and exercise and nutrition - Defines a new approach that focuses on foods, dietary supplements, exercise, behavior, and lifestyle in health promotion and symptoms management for MS




Multiple Sclerosis 2


Book Description

"This practical resource encompasses the newest essential information on multiple sclerosis-focusing on those areas where progress has been made in research, bringing about new concepts of patient management"--Back cover.