Internet-delivered lifestyle physical activity intervention improves body composition in multiple sclerosis: preliminary evidence from a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy of a physical activity behavioral intervention for improving outcomes of body composition in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Ambulatory persons with MS (N=82).


METHODS
A 6-month, internet-delivered physical activity behavioral intervention designed to increase lifestyle physical activity, primarily walking. The behavioral intervention was based on principles of social cognitive theory.


METHODS
Whole-body bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and soft tissue composition, using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between conditions posttrial on body composition outcomes using the adjusted critical value (P<.008). There was a significant effect of the intervention on whole-body BMC (P=.04, ω(2)<.001) and BMD (P=.01, ω(2)=.003) using the unadjusted critical value (P<.05). The effect of the intervention on percent body fat (P=.09, ω(2)=.001) and whole-body fat mass (P=.05, ω(2)=.003) approached significance using unadjusted criteria. There was not a significant effect on whole-body lean soft tissue (P=.28, ω(2)<.001) or body mass index (P=.86, ω(2)<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide preliminary evidence that an internet-delivered lifestyle physical activity intervention might improve bone health and body composition in MS. Such findings are important considering that physical activity is a modifiable behavior with the potential to confer long-term benefits for the prevention and management of fracture risk and comorbidities among those with MS.
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
Lara A
LA
Pilutti
Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
Deirdre
D
Dlugonski
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
Brian M
BM
Sandroff
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
Rachel E
RE
Klaren
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL. Electronic address: robmotl@illinois.edu.
Robert W
RW
Motl
D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D015519:Bone Density; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016138:Walking
Body composition; Bone; Multiple sclerosis; Physical activity; Rehabilitation; Walking