Impacto de la pandemia por Covid-19 en los hábitos de actividad física de las personas con EM en España

Multiple sclerosis; Physical activity; COVID-19 pandemicEsclerosis multiple; Actividad física; Pandemia de COVID-19Esclerosi múltiple; Activitat física; Pandèmia de COVID-19Background According to the literature, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are less active and show higher levels of sedentary behaviour than the general population of the same age range. This study aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of physical activity in these patients. Methods An online survey was launched between May and June 2021, aimed at patients with MS in Spain, regarding their physical activity habits (performance, intensity, and activities carried out) prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results A total of 230 patients responded to the survey, of whom 69.6% were women, 52.6% were between 45 and 64 years old, and 41.3% had moderate disability (Patient-Determined Disease Steps score 3–5). A total of 82.2% of the respondents reported being physically active before the pandemic, decreasing to 75.9% during the pandemic [P = .057 (McNemar test)]. Activities at sports centres decreased and exercise at home, as well as walking, increased. A total of 61.7% reported not using any technology during physical activity practise before the pandemic. For 63.9% of respondents, the preferred format after the pandemic was the mixed format combining in-person and remote physical activity. Conclusions Physical activity levels decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with MS. Although SARS-CoV-2 is currently in an endemic phase, this experience should be helpful for the development and implementation of interventions to facilitate physical activity among patients with MS.Introducción Según la literatura, las personas con esclerosis múltiple (PcEM) son menos activas y muestran niveles más altos de sedentarismo que la población de su mismo rango de edad. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer cuál fue el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en el nivel de actividad física (AF) de las PcEM. Métodos Estudio mediante una encuesta online lanzada entre mayo y junio del 2021, dirigida a PcEM en territorio español, sobre los hábitos de AF (rendimiento, intensidad y actividades realizadas) previos y durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Resultados Un total de 230 PcEM contestaron la encuesta, de los cuales un 69.6% eran mujeres, un 52,6% tenían entre 45 y 64 años y un 41,3% una discapacidad moderada (PDSS 3–5). Antes de la pandemia, el 82,2% de los encuestados referían ser físicamente activos, reduciéndose a un 75,9% durante la pandemia (McNemar; p = .057). Disminuyeron las actividades en centros deportivos y se incrementaron las desarrolladas en el domicilio, así como caminar como ejercicio. Un 61,7% refería no utilizar tecnología durante la práctica de AF antes de la pandemia. El formato de preferencia tras la pandemia para el 63,9% fue el formato mixto combinando AF presencial y remota. Conclusiones La AF disminuyó durante la pandemia por COVID-19 entre las PcEM. Aunque actualmente se encuentra en una fase endémica, esta experiencia debería ser un impulso para el desarrollo y aplicación de intervenciones que faciliten su práctica entre las PcEM

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical therapy practice for people with multiple sclerosis : a multicenter survey study of the RIMS network

Background: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical therapy services for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is unknown. Thefore, the Special Interest Group for Mobility (SIG Mobility) of the European Network for Best Practice and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation (RIMS) has undertaken the initiative to examine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on physical therapy services and physical activity participation in pwMS across Europe, Israel and Australia. Objective: To describe the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on physical therapy practice from the perspective of the therapist. Methods: An online survey was developed and conducted from December 2020 to July 2021. The survey (50 questions), included multiple-choice questions and open-ended responses. Results: In total, 215 physical therapists (PT's) from 9 countries (Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Norway, Spain, and Turkey) participated in the study. The therapy most affected during the pandemic was aerobic training/conditioning exercises; 33.5% reported that these activities were either reduced or unavailable. In contrast, 15% of the PTs reported increased use of relaxation/mind body techniques and/or fatigue management programs during the pandemic. PTs reported a mixture of positive and negative feelings about the therapeutic sessions offered during the pandemic. Most reported positive feelings included "positive" (26.5%), and "optimistic" (24.7%). Negative feelings most frequently reported included "worried" (30.7%), and "hesitant" (20.9%). The PTs reported a 10% decrease in the use of hands-on techniques and a 10% increase in the use of oral instructions when treating moderately and severely pwMS during as compared to before the pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected physical therapy services in pwMS internationally in terms of content, frequency of use and format

Physical activity in multiple sclerosis: meeting the guidelines at the time of COVID-19 pandemic

Background and Purpose: Regular physical activity (PA) helps to reduce the severity of physical and mental symptoms and improves quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Based on current evidence and expert opinion, the recent MS guidelines recommend at least 150 min/week of PA. This study presents the results of a survey analysing whether and how PwMS met the guidelines before and during pandemic. Methods: We developed and disseminated an international online survey between December 2020 and July 2021, investigating changes in self-reported PA type, duration, frequency and intensity due to the COVID-19 outbreak in PwMS with differing disability levels. Results: Among respondents (n=3810), 3725 were eligible. The proportion of those who conducted at least one activity decreased with increasing disability level at both time-points (pre and during). Overall 60% of respondents met the guidelines before the pandemic (mild: 64.43%; moderate: 51.53%; severe: 39.34%; X2(2)=109.13, p<0.01); a reduction of ~10% occurred during pandemic in all disability groups (mild: 54.76%; moderate: 42.47%; severe: 29.48%; X2(2)=109.67, p<0.01). Respondents with higher disability participated more in physical therapy and less in walking, cycling and running at both time-points. Most respondents reported practicing PA at a moderate intensity at both time-points; frequency and duration of sessions decreased as disability level increased. Discussion and Conclusions: The percentage of those meeting the guidelines reduced with increasing disability level and during the pandemic. PA type and intensity varied widely across the disability categories. Interventions accounting for disability level are required to enable more PwMS to reap the benefits.  https://journals.lww.com/jnpt/pages/default.aspxinpressinpres

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and associated technology use in persons with multiple sclerosis: an international RIMS-SIG Mobility survey study.

From Elsevier via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2022-06-05, issued 2022-06-26Article version: AMPublication status: AcceptedObjective To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity (PA) in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Design and Setting A multi-centre international online survey study was conducted within 11 participating countries. Each country launched the survey using online platforms from May to July 2021. Participants This was an electronic survey study targeting PwMS. Intervention Not applicable. Outcome measures The survey ascertained PA performance and its intensity, the nature of the activities conducted and the use of technology to support home-based physical activity before and during the pandemic. Results 3725 respondents completed the survey. Pre-pandemic, the majority (83%) of respondents reported being physically active, and this decreased to 75% during the pandemic. This change was significant for moderate and high intensity activity (p<.0001). Activities carried out in physiotherapy centres, gyms or pools decreased the most. Walking was the most frequently performed activity pre-pandemic (27%) and increased during the pandemic (33%). 24% of those inactive during the pandemic had no intention of changing their PA behaviour post-pandemic. 58% of the respondents did not use technology to support PA during the pandemic. Of those who did use technology, wearables were most used (24%). Of those currently non-active (25%) expressed a preference for an in-person format to conduct PA post-pandemic. Conclusion PA performance, especially activities at moderate and high intensities, decreased during the pandemic in PwMS compared to pre-pandemic. Walking and using wearables gained popularity to stay active. As we move towards an endemic-COVID-19, a call for action to develop interventions focused on walking programmes, with specific emphasis on increasing PA of persons with MS is proposed

Changes in physical activity participation during the COVID-19 pandemic in people with Multiple Sclerosis: an international survey study [Letter to the editor]

Marietta van der Linden - ORCID: 0000-0003-2256-6673 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2256-6673Item is restricted in this repository until 12 months after publication date.in pressinpres

Searching for the “Active Ingredients” in Physical Rehabilitation Programs Across Europe, Necessary to Improve Mobility in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Multicenter Study

Background. Physical rehabilitation programs can lead to improvements in mobility in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Objective. To identify which rehabilitation program elements are employed in real life and how they might affect mobility improvement in PwMS. Methods. Participants were divided into improved and nonimproved mobility groups based on changes observed in the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale–12 following multimodal physical rehabilitation programs. Analyses were performed at group and subgroup (mild and moderate-severe disability) levels. Rehabilitation program elements included setting, number of weeks, number of sessions, total duration, therapy format (individual, group, autonomous), therapy goals, and therapeutic approaches. Results. The study comprised 279 PwMS from 17 European centers. PwMS in the improved group received more sessions of individual therapy in both subgroups. In the mildly disabled group, 60.9% of the improved received resistance training, whereas, 68.5% of the nonimproved received self-stretching. In the moderately-severely disabled group, 31.4% of the improved, received aerobic training, while 50.4% of the nonimproved received passive mobilization/stretching. Conclusions. We believe that our findings are an important step in opening the black-box of physical rehabilitation, imparting guidance, and assisting future research in defining characteristics of effective physical rehabilitation

Content and Delivery of Physical Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis across Europe : A Survey

Background: Guidelines and general recommendations are available for multiple sclerosis rehabilitation, but no specific guidance exists for physical therapists. Describing aspects of physical therapy content and delivery in multiple sclerosis and its determinants and analysing whether general recommendations connected with physical therapy are implemented in practice is important for interpreting clinical and research evidence. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of physical therapists specialized in multiple sclerosis (212 specialists from 26 European countries) was used. Results : There was distinct diversity in service delivery and content across Europe. Perceived accessibility of physical therapy varied from most accessible in the Western region, and least in the Southern region. Sixty-four physical therapists adjusted their approach according to different disability levels, less so in the Eastern region. Duration, frequency and dose of sessions differed between regions, being highest in Southern and Western regions. "Hands on treatment" was the most commonly used therapeutic approach in all apart from the Northern regions, where "word instruction" (providing advice and information) prevailed. Conclusions: The content and delivery of physical therapy differs across Europe. Recommendations concerning access to treatment and adjustment according to disability do not appear to be widely implemented in clinical practic