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Evidence indicates that exercise is safe and improves many clinical outcomes, including physical fitness, functional abilities, fatigue, depression and cognitive function in people with MS. However, many people with MS do not engage in the levels of exercise required to offer the best health outcomes for their condition. Dr Yvonne Learmonth has already developed and tested a remote telehealth delivered exercise framework, called the changing Behaviours towards Aerobic and Strength Exercise in MS programme (BASE), which uses evidence-based practice to deliver exercise via telehealth.
In this project, Dr Learmonth will develop and test an online education tool to train MS exercise physiologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists to deliver the BASE programme to people with MS. She will measure training success based on the healthcare provider’s confidence, knowledge, and behaviour towards delivering the BASE programme to people with MS. Further, in preparation for a large-scale roll-out of the BASE framework, Dr Learmonth will identify the cost of healthcare provider training and the outcomes, mechanisms and contexts which make the framework realistic for delivery within the Australian healthcare system.
By the end of 2023, Dr Yvonne Learmonth and her team made significant progress in their project. They have collaborated with physiotherapists and individuals with MS to gather feedback on the BASE healthcare provider (HCP) training program. They have integrated the feedback and finalised the training program. They have attracted 50 HCPs and 80 individuals with MS to participate in the program. So far, 11 HCPs have completed the first part of the training program, and two have provided the BASE program to eight persons with MS.
Data from the project has been presented at six separate national presentations.
Dr Learmonth has also continued collaborations in other projects related to exercise participation, technology in MS exercise delivery, social determinants of health in MS, and crisis resilience in MS. Several associated publications have been submitted to peer-reviewed journals.
Updated: 31 March 2024
$225,000
2022
3 years
Current project
