STUDY: Impact of a 5-Day Expedition to Machu Picchu on Persons with MS

[Sparky10]

Me too!! Me too!! I want to participate in an expedition to somewhere or anywhere

How about going up Pike's Peak? Check out this thread: http://activemsers.wssnoc.net/showthread.php?t=1400

[cindy2939]

Me too!! Me too!! I want to participate in an expedition to somewhere or anywhere

[ActiveMSers]

Okay, now this is a study I totally would have volunteered for! - Dave

Impact of a 5-Day Expedition to Machu Picchu on Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Marie Beatrice D’hooghe,1,2 Peter Feys,3 Sam Deltour,4 Isabelle Van de Putte,5 Jan De Meue,6 Daphne Kos,7 Bert O Eijnde,3 and Paul Van Asch8

Abstract

Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are less physically active than nondiseased persons and often report low self-efficacy levels. In the context of an awareness project to promote physical activity and participation in MS, we addressed the impact of training for and participation in a unique expedition. Medical events, relapses, and self-reported neurological worsening were followed from 6 months before and up to 4 months afterwards. Validated patient-reported outcome measures were used to assess fatigue, self-efficacy in exercising, walking abilities, and illness perception.

Nine participants completed the training, expedition, and observational study. Minor events, relapses, and/or neurological worsening were reported in six participants. The three participants with mild disability and no cardiovascular risk factors or comorbidities were free of medical and neurological events. We found a significant reduction of motor fatigue at last when compared with the first assessment. The reduction tended to be more evident in participants with mild disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at baseline). Cognitive fatigue, self-efficacy, and self-reported walking abilities did not change significantly. Illness perceptions tended to be reduced over time in the domains of consequences, identity, and concerns. Overall, no major adverse events occurred.

Full Study:
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/msi/2014/761210/abs/