title: Impact of a 5-day expedition to machu picchu on persons with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are less physically active than nondiseased persons and often report low self-efficacy levels. In the context of an awareness project to promote physical activity and participation in MS, we addressed the impact of training for and participation in a unique expedition. Medical events, relapses, and self-reported neurological worsening were followed from 6 months before and up to 4 months afterwards. Validated patient-reported outcome measures were used to assess fatigue, self-efficacy in exercising, walking abilities, and illness perception. Nine participants completed the training, expedition, and observational study. Minor events, relapses, and/or neurological worsening were reported in six participants. The three participants with mild disability and no cardiovascular risk factors or comorbidities were free of medical and neurological events. We found a significant reduction of motor fatigue at last when compared with the first assessment. The reduction tended to be more evident in participants with mild disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) <4 at baseline). Cognitive fatigue, self-efficacy, and self-reported walking abilities did not change significantly. Illness perceptions tended to be reduced over time in the domains of consequences, identity, and concerns. Overall, no major adverse events occurred.
authors: Department of Neurology, National MS Center, Vanheylenstraat 16, 1820 Melsbroek, Belgium ; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium.
authors: Marie Beatrice
authors: MB
authors: D'hooghe
authors: Rehabilitation Research Center (REVAL), Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building A, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Feys
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University Leuven, Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Deltour
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, National MS Center, Vanheylenstraat 16, 1820 Melsbroek, Belgium.
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Van de Putte
authors: General Medicine, Den Blink, J.B. Nowélei 19, 1800 Vilvoorde, Belgium.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: De Meue
authors: Occupational Therapy, Plantijn Antwerp & KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Daphne
authors: D
authors: Kos
authors: Rehabilitation Research Center (REVAL), Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building A, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors: Bert
authors: B
authors: O Eijnde
authors: Fit Up (Physiotherapy Center), Mechelsesteenweg 192/A, 2550 Kontich, Belgium.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Van Asch