A multi-site, randomized controlled trial of MS INFoRm, a fatigue self-management website for persons with multiple sclerosis: rationale and study protocol.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The majority of approaches for managing MS fatigue typically require participation in a structured, time-limited program with a fixed sequence of topics and activities. MS INFoRm (Multiple Sclerosis: An Interactive Fatigue Management Resource) is a self-directed MS fatigue management resource incorporating principles of self-management and adult learning.

The Experience of Persons With Multiple Sclerosis Using MS INFoRm: An Interactive Fatigue Management Resource.

We aimed to understand participants' experiences with a self-guided fatigue management resource, Multiple Sclerosis: An Interactive Fatigue Management Resource ( MS INFoRm), and the extent to which they found its contents relevant and useful to their daily lives. We recruited 35 persons with MS experiencing mild to moderate fatigue, provided them with MS INFoRm, and then conducted semistructured interviews 3 weeks and 3 months after they received the resource. Interpretive description guided the analysis process.

A pilot mixed-methods evaluation of MS INFoRm: a self-directed fatigue management resource for individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Fatigue management interventions for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) often feature structured programmes requiring repeated, in-person attendance that is not possible for all individuals. We sought to determine whether MS INFoRm, a self-directed fatigue management resource for individuals with MS, was worth further, more rigorous evaluation. Our indicators of worthiness were actual use of the resource by participants over 3 months, reductions in fatigue impact and increases in self-efficacy, and participant reports of changes in fatigue management knowledge and behaviours.

Change in the Health-Related Quality of Life of Multiple Sclerosis Patients over 5 Years.

This study examined whether multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (N = 3779) experience change in their perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over a 5-year period, and investigated baseline factors that may be related to change in HRQOL. Data from the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry were used to address the study's research questions. Results for the physical and mental component scores of the 12-item Short Form Health Status Survey, version 2 (SF-12v2), indicated that most of the MS sample experienced no significant changes over a 5-year period.

Traumatic injury and multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A systematic review/meta-analysis of literature addressing a possible association between traumatic injury and onset of multiple sclerosis was conducted. Medline, Embase, Cochrane DSR, Ovid HealthStar, CINAHL, ISI Web of Science and Scopus were searched for analytical studies from 1950 to 2011. Two investigators independently reviewed articles for inclusion, assessing their quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

The burden of multiple sclerosis: a community health survey.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who reside within the community relative to the general population is largely unknown. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1 (CCHS 1.

Health status and health care utilization of multiple sclerosis in Canada.

Background: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) represent a small segment of the population, but given the progression of the disease, they experience substantial physical, psychosocial and economic burdens.

Objective: The primary aim was to compare demographic characteristics, health status, health behaviours, health care resource utilization and access to health care of the community dwelling populations with and without MS.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS 1.