Contributions
Abstract: 273
Type: Scientific Session
Abstract Category: N/A
Introduction: There has been a dramatic increase in the number of research studies examining the benefits of exercise training in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) over the past decade. This research largely has involved randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed in supervised settings and reported beneficial effects of exercise training on a range of outcomes including brain structure and function, symptoms of fatigue and depression, walking and cognitive performance, and quality of life.
Objectives: The next step in this line of research involves the translation and provision of exercise training within community and home settings perhaps using telehealth. Telehealth describes the remote provision of health care services and education by means of information and communication technology, and has become increasingly popular in exercise research involving persons with disabling diseases and conditions.
Methods: This presentation reviews principles of telehealth necessary for designing RCTs of exercise training delivered through community and home settings for yielding beneficial outcomes in MS. The presentation of a framework for telehealth will be followed by a review of existing research studies examining the feasibility and benefits of telehealth-delivered exercise training interventions in MS.
Conclusions: The presentation will conclude with a discussion of opportunities for future research involving telehealth and exercise training in MS.
Disclosure: The author has financial support for research from NIH, NMSS, and PCORI.
Abstract: 273
Type: Scientific Session
Abstract Category: N/A
Introduction: There has been a dramatic increase in the number of research studies examining the benefits of exercise training in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) over the past decade. This research largely has involved randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed in supervised settings and reported beneficial effects of exercise training on a range of outcomes including brain structure and function, symptoms of fatigue and depression, walking and cognitive performance, and quality of life.
Objectives: The next step in this line of research involves the translation and provision of exercise training within community and home settings perhaps using telehealth. Telehealth describes the remote provision of health care services and education by means of information and communication technology, and has become increasingly popular in exercise research involving persons with disabling diseases and conditions.
Methods: This presentation reviews principles of telehealth necessary for designing RCTs of exercise training delivered through community and home settings for yielding beneficial outcomes in MS. The presentation of a framework for telehealth will be followed by a review of existing research studies examining the feasibility and benefits of telehealth-delivered exercise training interventions in MS.
Conclusions: The presentation will conclude with a discussion of opportunities for future research involving telehealth and exercise training in MS.
Disclosure: The author has financial support for research from NIH, NMSS, and PCORI.