title: A randomized clinical trial of a wellness intervention for women with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of a wellness intervention program for women with multiple sclerosis (MS) on health behaviors and quality of life (QOL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community setting in the southwestern United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Convenience sample of 113 women with physician-confirmed MS (mean age, 45.79y).
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2-phase intervention program included lifestyle-change classes for 8 weeks, then telephone follow-up for 3 months. Participants were followed over an 8-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of self-report instruments to measure barriers, resources, self-efficacy for health behaviors, health promotion behaviors, and health-related QOL were completed at baseline, 2 months (after the classes), 5 months (after telephone follow-up), and at 8 months. Principal outcomes measures were health-promoting behaviors (scores on the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II) and QOL (scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36] scales).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hierarchical linear modeling techniques revealed a statistically significant group by time effect for self-efficacy for health behaviors, health-promoting behaviors, and the mental health and pain scales of the SF-36.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data provide initial support for the positive effects of wellness interventions to improve health behaviors and selected dimensions of QOL for women with MS.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, Austin, TX 78701, USA. astuifbergen@mail.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Alexa K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Stuifbergen
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blozis
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Timmerman
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kullberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome