@Article{info:doi/10.2196/60240,
author="Davenport, Rebekah
and Bevens, William
and Neate, Sandra
and Jelinek, Pia
and Yu, Maggie
and Jelinek, George
and Reece, Jeanette",
title="Perceptions of Illness Control, Coherence, and Self-Efficacy Following a Web-Based Lifestyle Program for Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Analysis of Semistructured Interviews",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2024",
month="Nov",
day="29",
volume="26",
pages="e60240",
keywords="illness perceptions; personal control perceptions; illness coherence; self-efficacy; lifestyle modification; disease management; multiple sclerosis; MS; qualitative; health behavior; thematic analysis",
abstract="Background: Evidence 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. Objective: This 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). Methods: Qualitative 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. Results: Themes 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.'' Conclusions: Findings 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 Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621001605886; https://tinyurl.com/2vyve9p9 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s12883-023-03298-0 ",
issn="1438-8871",
doi="10.2196/60240",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e60240",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/60240",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39612211"
}