Exercise experiences among persons with multiple sclerosis living in the southeast of the United States

Abstract

Purpose

Exercise is one of the best behavioral approaches for improving health and wellbeing among persons with multiple sclerosis. The environment is a key influencer regarding engagement in this health enhancing activity among those with multiple sclerosis, yet existing research has often been restricted amongst Caucasian samples residing in the midwest and northwest of the United States, Europe and New Zealand. This study explored experiences of exercise among persons with multiple sclerosis from the southeast of the United States.

Materials and methods

We interviewed 32 persons with multiple sclerosis from the southeast of the United States regarding exercise experiences, and then undertook an inductive, semantic thematic analysis.

Results

The racially diverse sample of persons with multiple sclerosis in the southeast of the United States permitted a crafting of five themes that reflected lived experiences of exercise; (i) exercise is a therapeutic strategy, (ii) facilitators of exercise, (iii) barriers of exercise, (iv) ineffective exercise promotion, and (v) necessities for improved exercise promotion.

Conclusion

Experiences of exercise in multiple sclerosis are transferable up to a point, but exercise interventions should be contextually specific depending on the geographic area and culture of persons with multiple sclerosis.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Exercise is one of the only strategies that improves symptoms of multiple sclerosis and improves quality of life.

• Cultural and geographic climate may significantly influence exercise experiences, and subsequent engagement of exercise among persons with multiple sclerosis.

• Practitioners working with persons with MS in the southeast of the US should consider designing exercise programs that take into account the oppressive climate of this area.

• Persons’ with MS cultural and geographic backgrounds should be considered when designing exercise programs to ensure more individualized and appropriate application.

Keywords:

• Multiple sclerosis
• exercise
• environment
• qualitative
• transferability

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for funding this research, and thank the participants for sharing their stories and experiences with them.

Disclosure statement

The authors disclose no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society [HC1411]. Dr. Richardson is funded through this grant. The second and third authors report no other declarations of interest.