Perceptions of Illness Control, Coherence, and Self-Efficacy Following a Web-Based Lifestyle Program for Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Semistructured Interviews

BackgroundEvidence 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 cou...

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Main Authors: Rebekah Davenport, William Bevens, Sandra Neate, Pia Jelinek, Maggie Yu, George Jelinek, Jeanette Reece
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Medical Internet Research
Online Access:https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e60240
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author Rebekah Davenport
William Bevens
Sandra Neate
Pia Jelinek
Maggie Yu
George Jelinek
Jeanette Reece
author_facet Rebekah Davenport
William Bevens
Sandra Neate
Pia Jelinek
Maggie Yu
George Jelinek
Jeanette Reece
author_sort Rebekah Davenport
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundEvidence 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. Modifying lifestyle risk factors offers an opportunity to impact illness perceptions. Research on illness perceptions in people living with MS has focused predominately on quantitative methods. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the experiences and health outcomes of randomized controlled trial participants, including individuals’ perceived changes in attitudes toward MS and their health (ie, illness perceptions). MethodsQualitative responses provided by 38 participants (22 in the IC and 16 in the standard care course) were derived from semistructured interviews 1 month after completing the MS Online Course. The impact of course engagement and lifestyle modification on illness perceptions was explored using inductive thematic analysis. ResultsThemes of changes in illness perceptions were most prominent in the IC arm. Qualitative responses from 22 people living with MS informed the development of three themes: “self-efficacy for disease management,” “personal control,” and “illness coherence.” ConclusionsFindings provide novel insights into the formation and modification of illness perceptions. Lifestyle modification may serve as a valuable adjunct to clinician-administered therapies, improving the sense of personal control over MS, illness coherence, and self-efficacy for disease management. Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621001605886; https://tinyurl.com/2vyve9p9 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1186/s12883-023-03298-0
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spelling doaj-art-8a6d97d5d8ee4e298d5a8dd4a7c560572024-11-29T16:30:52ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712024-11-0126e6024010.2196/60240Perceptions of Illness Control, Coherence, and Self-Efficacy Following a Web-Based Lifestyle Program for Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Semistructured InterviewsRebekah Davenporthttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0426-2158William Bevenshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6944-6500Sandra Neatehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0761-9848Pia Jelinekhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7876-8667Maggie Yuhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2022-4939George Jelinekhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6157-0910Jeanette Reecehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2897-0271 BackgroundEvidence 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. Modifying lifestyle risk factors offers an opportunity to impact illness perceptions. Research on illness perceptions in people living with MS has focused predominately on quantitative methods. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the experiences and health outcomes of randomized controlled trial participants, including individuals’ perceived changes in attitudes toward MS and their health (ie, illness perceptions). MethodsQualitative responses provided by 38 participants (22 in the IC and 16 in the standard care course) were derived from semistructured interviews 1 month after completing the MS Online Course. The impact of course engagement and lifestyle modification on illness perceptions was explored using inductive thematic analysis. ResultsThemes of changes in illness perceptions were most prominent in the IC arm. Qualitative responses from 22 people living with MS informed the development of three themes: “self-efficacy for disease management,” “personal control,” and “illness coherence.” ConclusionsFindings provide novel insights into the formation and modification of illness perceptions. Lifestyle modification may serve as a valuable adjunct to clinician-administered therapies, improving the sense of personal control over MS, illness coherence, and self-efficacy for disease management. Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621001605886; https://tinyurl.com/2vyve9p9 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1186/s12883-023-03298-0https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e60240
spellingShingle Rebekah Davenport
William Bevens
Sandra Neate
Pia Jelinek
Maggie Yu
George Jelinek
Jeanette Reece
Perceptions of Illness Control, Coherence, and Self-Efficacy Following a Web-Based Lifestyle Program for Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Semistructured Interviews
Journal of Medical Internet Research
title Perceptions of Illness Control, Coherence, and Self-Efficacy Following a Web-Based Lifestyle Program for Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Semistructured Interviews
title_full Perceptions of Illness Control, Coherence, and Self-Efficacy Following a Web-Based Lifestyle Program for Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Semistructured Interviews
title_fullStr Perceptions of Illness Control, Coherence, and Self-Efficacy Following a Web-Based Lifestyle Program for Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Semistructured Interviews
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions of Illness Control, Coherence, and Self-Efficacy Following a Web-Based Lifestyle Program for Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Semistructured Interviews
title_short Perceptions of Illness Control, Coherence, and Self-Efficacy Following a Web-Based Lifestyle Program for Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Semistructured Interviews
title_sort perceptions of illness control coherence and self efficacy following a web based lifestyle program for multiple sclerosis a qualitative analysis of semistructured interviews
url https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e60240
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