Browsing by Person "Arntzen, Ellen Christin"

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Changes in physical activity participation during the COVID-19 pandemic in people with Multiple Sclerosis: an international survey study [Letter to the editor]
(Elsevier, 2023-11-14) van der Linden, Marietta; Kos, Daphne; Moumdjian, Lousin; Kalron, Alon; Coote, Susan; Smedal, Tori; Arntzen, Ellen Christin; Tayfur, Sümeyra N; Pedullà, Ludovico; Tacchino, Andrea; Jonsdottir, Johanna; Santoyo-Medina, Carme; Novotna, Klara; Yazgan, Yonca Zenginler; Nedeljkovic, Una; Learmonth, Yvonne
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Associated Technology Use in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: An International RIMS-SIG Mobility Survey Study
(Elsevier, 2022-09-30) Moumdjian, Lousin; Smedal, Tori; Arntzen, Ellen Christin; van der Linden, Marietta; Learmonth, Yvonne; Pedullà, Ludovico; Tacchino, Andrea; Novotna, Klara; Kalron, Alon; Yazgan, Yonca Zenginler; Nedeljkovic, Una; Kos, Daphne; Jonsdottir, Johanna; Santoyo-Medina, Carme; Coote, Susan
Objective To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Design Multicenter international online survey study. Setting The survey was conducted within 11 participating countries. Each country launched the survey using online platforms from May to July 2021. Participants This was an electronic survey study targeting PwMS (N=3725). Intervention Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures The survey ascertained physical activity performance and its intensity, the nature of the activities conducted, and the use of technology to support home-based physical activity before and during the pandemic. Results A total of 3725 respondents completed the survey. Prepandemic, the majority (83%) of respondents reported being physically active, and this decreased to 75% during the pandemic. This change was significant for moderate- and high-intensity activity (P<.0001). Activities carried out in physiotherapy centers, gyms, or pools decreased the most. Walking was the most frequently performed activity prepandemic (27%) and increased during the pandemic (33%). A total of 24% of those inactive during the pandemic had no intention of changing their physical activity behavior post pandemic. A total of 58% of the respondents did not use technology to support physical activity during the pandemic. Of those who did use technology, wearables were most used (24%). Of those currently nonactive (25%) expressed a preference for an in-person format to conduct physical activity post pandemic. Conclusions Physical activity performance, especially activities at moderate and high intensities, decreased during the pandemic in PwMS compared with prepandemic. Walking and using wearables gained popularity as ways to stay active. As we move toward an endemic COVID-19, a call for action to develop interventions focused on walking programs with specific emphasis on increasing physical activity of PwMS is proposed.
Physical activity in multiple sclerosis: meeting the guidelines at the time of COVID-19 pandemic
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2023-02-01) Pedullà, Ludovico; Santoyo-Medina, Carme; Novotna, Klara; Moumdjian, Lousin; Smedal, Tori; Arntzen, Ellen Christin; van der Linden, Marietta; Learmonth, Yvonne; Kalron, Alon; Feray Güngör; Nedeljkovic, Una; Kos, Daphne; Jonsdottir, Johanna; Coote, Susan; Tacchino, Andrea
Background and Purpose: Regular physical activity (PA) helps to reduce the severity of physical and mental symptoms and improves quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Based on current evidence and expert opinion, the recent MS guidelines recommend at least 150 min/week of PA. This study presents the results of a survey analysing whether and how PwMS met the guidelines before and during pandemic. Methods: We developed and disseminated an international online survey between December 2020 and July 2021, investigating changes in self-reported PA type, duration, frequency and intensity due to the COVID-19 outbreak in PwMS with differing disability levels. Results: Among respondents (n=3810), 3725 were eligible. The proportion of those who conducted at least one activity decreased with increasing disability level at both time-points (pre and during). Overall 60% of respondents met the guidelines before the pandemic (mild: 64.43%; moderate: 51.53%; severe: 39.34%; X2(2)=109.13, p<0.01); a reduction of ~10% occurred during pandemic in all disability groups (mild: 54.76%; moderate: 42.47%; severe: 29.48%; X2(2)=109.67, p<0.01). Respondents with higher disability participated more in physical therapy and less in walking, cycling and running at both time-points. Most respondents reported practicing PA at a moderate intensity at both time-points; frequency and duration of sessions decreased as disability level increased. Discussion and Conclusions: The percentage of those meeting the guidelines reduced with increasing disability level and during the pandemic. PA type and intensity varied widely across the disability categories. Interventions accounting for disability level are required to enable more PwMS to reap the benefits.