Self-reported behaviour change among multiple sclerosis community members and interested laypeople following participation in a free online course about multiple sclerosis

Abstract

<p><b>Issue addressed:</b></p><p> Evaluated the impact of <i>Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS)</i> massive open online course, which was intended to increase understanding and awareness about MS, on self-reported health behaviour change. </p><p><b>Methods:</b></p><p> Observational cohort study evaluating pre- (baseline) and post-course (8-10-week follow-up) survey data. The main study outcomes were self-reported health behaviour change, change type and measurable improvement. We also collected participant characteristic data (eg, age, physical activity). We compared participants who reported health behaviour change at follow-up to those who did not and compared those who improved with those who did not using chi square and t tests. Participant characteristics, change types and change improvement were described descriptively. </p><p><b>Results:</b></p><p> A total of N = 560 course completers were included in this study. The study cohort included MS community members (eg, people with MS, health care providers) and nonmembers. Two hundred and forty-seven (44.1%) reported behaviour change in ≥1 area at follow-up, 160 (64.8%) reported a measurable change and, of these, 109 (68.1%) showed improvement. Participants who reported a change and those who improved had significantly lower precourse health behaviours and characteristics (eg, quality of life, diet quality). The most reported change types were knowledge, exercise/physical activity, diet and care practice. </p><p><b>Conclusion:</b></p><p> <i>Understanding MS</i> encourages health behaviour change among course completers, primarily through the provision of information and goal-setting activities and discussions. </p><p><b>So what?</b></p><p> An online education intervention can effectively encourage health behaviour change over an 8-10-week follow-up period. Information provision, including both scientific evidence and lived experience, and goal-setting activities and discussions are the primary mechanisms underpinning that change.</p>