Impaired sensorimotor function, reduced physical activity and unemployment are common challenges in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), even when disability is low. CoreDISTparticipation is a new, multidisciplinary intervention delivered across healthcare levels systematically addressing these elements. This study primarily aimed to evaluate the feasibility of CoreDISTparticipation in terms of process, resources, management, and scientific outcomes. The secondary aim was to evaluate initial efficacy in terms of possible short-term effects compared with the usual care on barriers to employment, balance, walking, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and physical activity.
This assessor-blinded prospective pilot randomized controlled trial included 29 pwMS [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): 0–3.5] randomly allocated to the intervention group (CoreDISTparticipation) (
The primary feasibility metric outcomes demonstrated the need for minor adjustments in regard to the content of the intervention and increasing the number of staff. In regard to the efficacy measures, one person attended no postintervention assessments and was excluded, leaving 28 participants (mean EDSS: 1.8, SD: 1). The mean percentage employment was 46.3 (SD: 35.6) and 65.4 (SD: 39.3) in the CoreDISTparticipation and usual care group, respectively. No between-group differences were found. MSWDQ-23NV demonstrated a within-group difference of 5.7 points from baseline to Week 11 (
The CoreDISTparticipation intervention is feasible to support pwMS when the identified feasibility metric outcomes in regard to process, resource, management, and scientific outcome metrics are adjusted to improve feasibility. Regarding efficacy measures, no between-group differences were detected; however, within-group differences in barriers to employment, balance, and HRQoL were detected for the CoreDISTparticipation group. A larger comparative trial is needed to explore between-group differences and should accurately and precisely define usual care and address the identified limitations of this study.