A Study for Testing Text Messaging and Newsletter as a Strategy for In

Treatment tested

• Social Cognitive Theory based text messages

Other measures (3)

The study will examine the possibility of reducing sedentary behavior (SB) in African Americans with MS. SB consists of any waking activities that are done lying or sitting and do not demand significant physical effort (e.g., watching television, using the computer). SB is a major public health issue because it is associated with mortality and higher probabilities of presenting with health conditions and morbidity. There is indication that SB is related to physical disability, which is the inability of performing daily activities independently. This outcome is of high concern for persons with MS, especially those from underserved groups, such as African Americans. Thus, reducing the amount of time that people with MS spend in SB is important, but it is hard to find ways of doing so in large groups of people with MS. One possibility is to use text-messages to inform people about the necessity and benefits of interrupting SB by standing up, walking, or doing another activity. Text-messages are an ideal way to prompt behavior change because almost everyone owns a cellphone/smartphone in today's world. Considering this potential, the investigators will be studying whether or not it is possible to have a small group of African Americans with MS spend less time in SB by sending informative text-messages prompting individuals to stand-up and move around. This study will be used to inform the development of a much larger study that will aim to reduce SB in a very large sample of persons with MS.