Self-reported behaviour change among multiple sclerosis community members and interested laypeople following participation in a free online course about multiple sclerosis

Suzi B Claflin; Casey Mainsbridge; Julie Campbell; Shannon Klekociuk; Bruce V Taylor

doi:10.1002/hpja.559

Self-reported behaviour change among multiple sclerosis community members and interested laypeople following participation in a free online course about multiple sclerosis

Health Promot J Austr. 2022 Jul;33(3):768-778. doi: 10.1002/hpja.559. Epub 2021 Dec 13.

Authors

Suzi B Claflin¹, Casey Mainsbridge², Julie Campbell¹, Shannon Klekociuk³, Bruce V Taylor¹

Affiliations

¹ Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
² School of Education, College of Arts, Law, and Education, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
³ Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

PMID: 34807490
DOI: 10.1002/hpja.559

Abstract

Issue addressed: Evaluated the impact of Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) massive open online course, which was intended to increase understanding and awareness about MS, on self-reported health behaviour change.

Methods: Observational cohort study evaluating pre- (baseline) and post-course (8-10-week follow-up) survey data. The main study outcomes were self-reported health behaviour change, change type and measurable improvement. We also collected participant characteristic data (eg, age, physical activity). We compared participants who reported health behaviour change at follow-up to those who did not and compared those who improved with those who did not using chi square and t tests. Participant characteristics, change types and change improvement were described descriptively.

Results: A total of N = 560 course completers were included in this study. The study cohort included MS community members (eg, people with MS, health care providers) and nonmembers. Two hundred and forty-seven (44.1%) reported behaviour change in ≥1 area at follow-up, 160 (64.8%) reported a measurable change and, of these, 109 (68.1%) showed improvement. Participants who reported a change and those who improved had significantly lower precourse health behaviours and characteristics (eg, quality of life, diet quality). The most reported change types were knowledge, exercise/physical activity, diet and care practice.

Conclusion: Understanding MS encourages health behaviour change among course completers, primarily through the provision of information and goal-setting activities and discussions. SO WHAT?: An online education intervention can effectively encourage health behaviour change over an 8-10-week follow-up period. Information provision, including both scientific evidence and lived experience, and goal-setting activities and discussions are the primary mechanisms underpinning that change.

Keywords: eHealth; health behaviour change; health education; health promotion; multiple sclerosis.

Publication types

Observational Study

MeSH terms

Exercise
Humans
Multiple Sclerosis*
Quality of Life
Sedentary Behavior
Self Report

Grants and funding

Multiple Sclerosis Limited