NCHPAD research abstracts feature a series of current articles pertaining to physical activity and disability. Each abstract concludes with practical pointers for research application. View them at http://www.ncpad.org/content/11/Research.

HEALTH PROMOTION PROMOTION PRACTICES IN WOMEN WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Stuifbergen, A.K., & Becker, H. (2001). Health promotion practices in women with multiple sclerosis. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 12, 9-22.

This study explored the self-reported health promotion behaviors (including physical activity patterns) of women with relapsing-remitting and chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). A convenience sample of participants was recruited from two chapters of the National MS Society in the southwestern United States, one in a rural and one in a large metropolitan area. Analysis was based on 347 women who responded to a questionnaire at three times: baseline, 18 months, and 3 years.

Results showed that women with relapsing-remitting MS generally reported a greater frequency of health-promoting behaviors than their chronic progressive counterparts. Also notable is that items under the exercise and physical activity subscale were indicated far less than those in the other subscales of spiritual growth, health responsibility, interpersonal relations, nutrition, and stress management.
The study underscores that more exercise barrier research is needed.

View the complete abstract at http://www.ncpad.org/131/1045/Health~promotion~practices~in~women~with~multiple~
sclerosis~.

AMBULATORY EFFICIENCY IN PERSONS WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY AFTER A REHABILITATION INTERVENTION

Mossberg, K.A., Kuna, S., & B. Masel. (2002). Ambulatory efficiency in persons with acquired brain injury after a rehabilitation intervention. Brain Injury, 16(9), 789-797.

Aerobic capacity is important in determining an individual?s ability to ambulate and complete activities of daily living. This study tested the aerobic capacity of individuals with acquired brain injury before and after participating in a rehabilitation program.

Forty participants were recruited from a residential post-acute brain injury center. The rehabilitation program consisted of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and therapeutic recreation, which were tailored to the individual participant?s injury and consisted of coordination, strength, and flexibility exercises. Testing was conducted at the beginning and end of the rehabilitation program using a modified Balke and Ware treadmill test. Participants showed improvement on the treadmill test as total walking time increased significantly, and sub-maximal heart rate and oxygen update (VO2) scores decreased.

This study indicates what types of exercise programs may be most beneficial for individuals with brain injury. Future studies should address issues related to a uniform duration, greater training intensity, or frequency to elicit a greater cardiovascular change.

View the complete abstract at http://www.ncpad.org/132/1052/Ambulatory~efficiency~in~persons~with~acquired~brain~injury~
after~a~rehabilitation~intervention~.