Publications by authors named "Pia Jelinek"

Background: Evidence suggests that illness perceptions held by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) impact affective distress and physical health outcomes. In a randomized controlled trial, we developed 2 MS Online Courses-the standard care course and the intervention course (IC). The IC was adapted from an evidence-based lifestyle program.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Modifiable lifestyle risk factors for progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) have been increasingly studied. This study employed a single-group design involving a one-off intensive live-in educational workshop on lifestyle modification for people with MS. We aimed to examine changes in a range of clinical and lifestyle variables and quality of life, self-efficacy, physical impact of MS and disability from baseline to 3- and 5-years post-intervention.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Digital technologies have afforded people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) access to telehealth consultations, diagnostic tools, and monitoring. Although health care professionals remain the most trusted source of information, the internet has emerged as a valuable resource for providing MS-related information, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, people living with MS are increasingly seeking educational content for a range of topics related to the self-management of MS; however, web-based information seeking remains largely underevaluated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: People living with multiple sclerosis (plwMS) seek access to information on evidence-based lifestyle-related risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). As the internet has made delivery of lifestyle information increasingly accessible and cost-effective, we designed the Multiple Sclerosis Online Course (MSOC) to deliver a multimodal lifestyle modification program for plwMS. Two MS online courses were developed: the intervention course based on lifestyle recommendations of the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis (OMS) program and the standard-care course representing standard lifestyle recommendations from other MS websites.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Modification of lifestyle-related risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS) has been associated with improved health outcomes when compared with standard medical management alone. Based on an existing lifestyle modification program offered as a residential workshop, the MS Online Course (MSOC) was developed to translate the workshop into an online intervention. We performed a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), to assess the feasibility concepts of accessibility, learnability and desirability through quantitative and qualitative analyzes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Sun exposure and vitamin D, including intake and serum levels, have been associated with reduced risk of MS onset and less progression and may affect quality of life (QoL). We investigated the prospective relationship of these factors with QoL from baseline to 2.5 years' follow-up, in an international cohort of people with MS.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience pain, which can interfere with mobility, employment, and quality of life (QOL).

Methods: This cross-sectional study explored associations between pain, demographic, disease, and modifiable lifestyle factors in an international sample of people with MS recruited online.

Results: Substantial pain, of moderate/severe intensity and interfering at least moderately with work/household or enjoyment of life in the past 4 weeks, was reported by 682/2,362 (28.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) leads to significant disability and reduced quality of life, with varying health outcomes observed across different countries.
  • A study used data from 2,401 participants across 37 countries, grouping them into Australasia, Europe, and North America to analyze these differences in health outcomes.
  • While regional disparities in disability and quality of life were noted, most differences diminished after adjusting for factors like lifestyle and demographics, although disability odds remained higher in Europe and North America compared to Australasia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is very common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and contributes a significant burden of disease, particularly for young people. SD has direct neurological contributions from depression and fatigue, which occur commonly in PwMS. Modifiable factors may represent potential targets for treatment and prevention of SD.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF