A Dyadic Approach for Promoting Physical Activity Among People with MS and Their Support Partners

The study is an assessor-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) for examining the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a dyadic PA intervention approach for persons with MS (PwMS) affected by moderate-to-severe disability and their family caregivers (CGs). Dyads who meet the eligibility requirements will undergo the informed consent process and baseline assessment. Dyads will then be randomized to either an immediate intervention condition or a delayed control condition. Participants in the immediate intervention group will receive six group teleconference sessions, approximately 60 minutes each, every other week for 12 weeks. These sessions will be interspersed with one-on-one support calls in the weeks that group sessions do not occur. Participants will be provided with a manual for their individual use during the intervention. The intervention content will introduce participants to the concepts of shared appraisal and dyadic coping. The benefits of shared participation in PA as a coping strategy to optimize well-being at both the individual and dyadic level will be reinforced and illustrated. All participants will be taught techniques for monitoring PA behaviour, setting personalized goals to increase PA and reduce sedentary time, and strategies for overcoming challenges to PA participation. The one-to-one support calls will serve to reinforce the information provided during the group sessions, monitor safety, and troubleshoot any issues with the intervention content. All participants will undergo the assessment protocol again at 12 weeks.