Contributions
Abstract: 118
Type: Oral
The evidence for the benefits of exercise and physical activity participation for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is robust and persuasive. But it is not easy for people with MS to partake in physical activity programmes, let alone maintain the long-term adherence that is a key for optimising health benefits. Grassroots research allowed us to identify key facilitators to enable people with MS to participate long-term in physical activity as being choice of activity and control over level of engagement coupled with support, advice and encouragement from a physiotherapist. These factors form the foundations of the Blue Prescription approach. This approach primarily uses motivational interviewing and volitional help sheets to facilitate self-efficacy to be active, with the emphasis on the physiotherapist working in a collaborative partnership with the person with MS. Proof of concept and feasibility studies have shown this approach to be feasible, acceptable and beneficial for people with MS living in urban areas and for people living with other long term conditions, such as stroke or chronic pain. A caveat from our research though is that people firstly require cognitive motivation to change (the “want” to engage in PA - “cognitive change”) before implementing strategies to bring about actual engagement (“behavioural change”). More recently, our research focus has shifted to people living rurally who have limited access to health care professional assistance by combining Blue Prescription with the Web-Based Physiotherapy approach. This presentation will report on our research and substantiate our argument that only by carefully listening to the voice of those we work with can we as health professionals truly engage in evidenced-based practice that works in application and meets the needs, desires and capabilities of people living with long term health conditions.
Disclosure: Our research has been funded by the University of Otago, New Zealand and Physiotherapy New Zealand.
ECTRIMS has sponsored my presentation.
There is no conflict of interest to declare.
Abstract: 118
Type: Oral
The evidence for the benefits of exercise and physical activity participation for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is robust and persuasive. But it is not easy for people with MS to partake in physical activity programmes, let alone maintain the long-term adherence that is a key for optimising health benefits. Grassroots research allowed us to identify key facilitators to enable people with MS to participate long-term in physical activity as being choice of activity and control over level of engagement coupled with support, advice and encouragement from a physiotherapist. These factors form the foundations of the Blue Prescription approach. This approach primarily uses motivational interviewing and volitional help sheets to facilitate self-efficacy to be active, with the emphasis on the physiotherapist working in a collaborative partnership with the person with MS. Proof of concept and feasibility studies have shown this approach to be feasible, acceptable and beneficial for people with MS living in urban areas and for people living with other long term conditions, such as stroke or chronic pain. A caveat from our research though is that people firstly require cognitive motivation to change (the “want” to engage in PA - “cognitive change”) before implementing strategies to bring about actual engagement (“behavioural change”). More recently, our research focus has shifted to people living rurally who have limited access to health care professional assistance by combining Blue Prescription with the Web-Based Physiotherapy approach. This presentation will report on our research and substantiate our argument that only by carefully listening to the voice of those we work with can we as health professionals truly engage in evidenced-based practice that works in application and meets the needs, desires and capabilities of people living with long term health conditions.
Disclosure: Our research has been funded by the University of Otago, New Zealand and Physiotherapy New Zealand.
ECTRIMS has sponsored my presentation.
There is no conflict of interest to declare.