Self-reported behaviour change among multiple sclerosis community members and interested laypeople following participation in a free online course about multiple sclerosis.

Issue addressed Evaluated the impact of the Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) massive open online course, which was intended to increase understanding and awareness about MS, on self-reported health behaviour change. Methods Observational cohort study evaluating pre- (baseline) and post-course (8-10-week follow-up) survey data. The main study outcomes were self-reported health behaviour change; change type; and measurable improvement. We also collected participant characteristic data (e.g., age, physical activity). We compared participants who reported health behaviour change at follow-up to those who did not and compared those who improved to those who did not using chi square and t-tests. Participant characteristics, change types, and change improvement were described descriptively. Results N=560 course completers were included in this study. The study cohort included MS community members (e.g., people with MS, healthcare providers) and non-members. N=247 (44.1%) reported behaviour change in ≥1 area at follow-up, 160 (64.8%) reported a measurable change, and of these, 109 (68.1%) showed improvement. Participants who reported a change and those who improved had significantly lower pre-course health behaviours and characteristics (e.g., quality of life, diet quality). The most reported change types were knowledge, exercise/physical activity, diet, and care practice. Conclusion Understanding MS encourages health behaviour change among course completers, primarily through the provision of information and goal-setting activities and discussions. SO WHAT?: An online education intervention can effectively encourage health behaviour change over an 8-10-week follow-up period. Information provision, including both scientific evidence and lived experience, and goal-setting activities and discussions are the primary mechanisms underpinning that change.