Grant: Dissemination Events

Nearly 80,000 Canadians are living with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a neurological disease that has a wide range of symptoms including muscle weakness, fatigue, and paralysis, for example. Accumulating research evidence indicates that engaging in physical activity can improve and/or maintain aerobic fitness, strength, fatigue, functional ability, and quality of life among people with MS. Despite these benefits, the majority of people with MS are physically inactive. Systematic efforts to promote physical activity could have substantial health benefits for the MS population. Yet unfortunately, physical activity information and programs are among the most desired but least available resources for people with MS. As a first step to addressing this service gap, we developed the evidence-based Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults with MS. The development process was funded by CIHR. The guidelines are being released nationally in November 2012. To ensure maximum impact and uptake of the guidelines, supporting evidence-based messages and materials must be developed to provide instructional information on how to become more physically active and motivational information as to why a person with MS should aim to achieve the guidelines. The objective of the proposed knowledge dissemination activity is to create an evidence-based, multimedia e-learning module that a) fosters knowledge of the newly created Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults with MS and b) provides practical information on why and how to achieve the guidelines. The module will be developed and disseminated by a team of researchers and knowledge users. The module will put the guidelines in the hands of Canadians with MS as well as health and fitness professionals. The module will result in increased knowledge of the guidelines, which could lead to much needed physical activity promotion initiatives and ultimately increased physical activity participation among Canadians with MS.