title: Health-related quality of life outcomes at 1 and 5 years after a residential retreat promoting lifestyle modification for people with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: There is a strong body of evidence that supports the use of non-drug therapies in the management of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A 5-day residential retreat for people with MS in Victoria, Australia, promotes lifestyle modification within a patient-centred model of care. Analysis of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the retreat participants was undertaken using the MSQOL-54, prior to attendance, 1 and 5 years after the retreat. 274 retreat participants (71%) completed baseline questionnaires. Despite the usually progressive nature of MS, the cohort demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in HRQOL. One year after attending the retreat, median improvements of 11.3% were observed in the overall quality of life domain (p < 0.001); 18.6% in the physical health composite (p < 0.001); and 11.8% in the mental health composite (p < 0.001). In the subset of 165 who had reached the 5-year time-point, there was a 19.5% median improvement in overall quality of life (p < 0.001); 17.8% in the physical health composite (p < 0.001) and 22.8% in the mental health composite (p < 0.001), compared to baseline. Attendance at a retreat promoting lifestyle modification for the integrated management of MS appears to have positive effects on short and medium-term HRQOL. Non-drug therapies should be considered as part of any comprehensive treatment plan for people with MS.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, P.O. Box 2900, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia.
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hadgkiss
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jelinek
authors.forename: Tracey J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Weiland
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rumbold
authors.forename: Claire A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mackinlay
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gutbrod
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gawler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome