- Digital reminder-based monitoring significantly increased walking and total physical activity; step counts showed a significant group by time interaction (F=192.63, p=0.018).
- No significant between group differences in depression or anxiety were found after eight weeks (BDI, BAI p>0.05).
- Quality of life subscales did not differ between groups, although the experimental group showed within group moderate to large improvements (Cohen d 0.661 to 1.483).
Physiother Theory Pract. 2026 Aug 5:1-12. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2026.2713001. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is known that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) have lower levels of physical activity compared to the healthy population. Encouraging and continuous monitoring ofphysical activity through digital reminders can be beneficial in increasing physical activity levels.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of continuous monitoring of walking-based physical activity, supported by reminders using a messaging application, on physical activity level, psychological health, and quality of life.
METHODS: Forty-two individuals with MS were randomly assigned to either experimental (EG = 22) or control (CG = 20) groups. The EG group was informed three times a week about the benefits of daily physical activity, then reminded to walk, and their daily step counts were recorded.The CG received a general briefing at baseline and then only recorded daily step counts. The outcomes were change in step count after 8 weeks of follow-up and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and International Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Study (MSQoL-54).
RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the IPAQ-Walking and IPAQ-Total groups (p = .042 and p = .010, respectively). In EG, IPAQ-Walking showed a significant increase with a large effect (p = .001, Cohen d = 0.843), while there was no difference in CG (p = .108). No significant difference was observed in BDI and BAI after the intervention (p > .05). In MSQoL-54, no significant difference was observed between groups in all subscales (p > .05). In EG, a significant change with moderate to large effect sizes was recorded in all subgroups (p < .05, Cohen d = 0.661-1.483). A significant group ×time interaction was shown for step counts (F = 192.63, p = .018).
CONCLUSION: While improvements in psychological health and quality of life indicators did not differ significantly between groups, findings suggest that digital reminder-based apps arefeasible, accessible, and cost-effective option for supporting physical activity in MS.
PMID:42554308 | DOI:10.1080/09593985.2026.2713001
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