Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Journal
International Journal of MS Care
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are approximately 1 million adults in the United States with multiple sclerosis (MS). Persons with MS are interested in diet as a second-line therapy for improving MS symptoms and disease progression. Examination of desired resources regarding diet among persons with MS is necessary for supporting behavior change.
METHODS: Twenty-five adults with MS completed 1-on-1, online semistructured interviews. An inductive, 6-phase, semantic thematic analysis was applied to identify themes associated with participant preferences for dietary behavior change.
RESULTS: The research team crafted 4 key themes from the data that encompassed participants' desired resources for dietary behavior change. Theme 1, MS-specific evidence, involved the need for clear information about the impact of diet regimens or specific foods on MS. Theme 2, dietary guidelines, was related to guidelines provided by a reliable source such as a registered dietitian. Theme 3, behavioral supports, underscored the need for support for behavior change, including accountability, self-monitoring, motivation, habituation, and incremental changes. Theme 4, diet resources, highlighted tangible resources for supporting dietary change, including recipes, food lists, meal services, or games.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a foundation for guiding dietary interventions for persons with MS that incorporates their needs and preferences and could improve their overall health. Such dietary change can be facilitated by theory-based behavioral interventions that incorporate behavior change techniques such as self-monitoring and goal setting for supporting behavior change.
Keywords
qualitative, multiple sclerosis, diet, wellness, behavior change
DOI
10.7224/1537-2073.2021-052
PMID
35875458
PMCID
PMC9296057
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
October 2021
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Included in
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Nutrition Commons, Public Health Commons