Web-based physical activity intervention for people with progressive multiple sclerosis: application of consensus-based intervention development guidance.

OBJECTIVES: People with progressive multiple sclerosis (PwPMS) report that they recognise the benefits of activity on their physical and psychological health but need support to achieve their physical activity goals. We aimed to systematically develop a theoretically informed intervention that would enable PwPMS to more readily engage in regular physical activity.
DESIGN: We used an intervention mapping approach to inform intervention development.
SETTING: We conducted semistructured interviews with PwPMS and their families/carers and physiotherapists recruited from secondary care settings. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen PwPMS with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of between 6 and 8 and 7 of their families/carers and 13 physiotherapists and 1 physiotherapy technician participated.
RESULTS: Interview data suggested that the development of supportive coaching relationships with physiotherapists could promote the ability of PwPMS to achieve a desirable and achievable physical activity plan. These interview data informed the prototype 'Lifestyle Exercise and Activity Package for Multiple Sclerosis' (LEAP-MS) consisting of a secure multiuser web-based platform (with an education and activity suite, interactive components enabling selection of exercises, goal setting and activity logging), up to six flexible face-to-face or web-based physiotherapy coaching sessions and remote support via an embedded web-based messaging function that all together draw on specific theory-based methods to achieve physical activity behaviour change, namely active learning, reinforcement, modelling, feedback, facilitation, goal setting and guided practice. Implementation is within a multiuser platform accessible to participants, trained physiotherapists and researchers.
CONCLUSIONS: We have followed an inclusive, systematic and transparent process to develop the LEAP-MS intervention that enables detailed description of components, context and guiding principles to inform ongoing evaluation. Importantly, PwPMS expressed the need for autonomy in developing physical activity plans. This has been achieved through the embedding of self-management principles in the design and delivery of the LEAP-MS intervention. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

We have followed a systematic process that adheres to consensus-based intervention development guidance.

Involvement of key stakeholders was central throughout to make the resultant intervention grounded in the particular lived experiences and needs of this underserved patient group.

Physiotherapy training to use technology in remote consultations and provide self-management support was developed as part of the implementation planning process.

Members of the patient and public involvement steering committee reviewed the prototype intervention and volunteered to undertake initial feasibility testing to refine the implementation process but further and more extensive user testing would have been preferable.

Stakeholders were identified from across South Wales and thus perspectives were limited to one locality.

Introduction/Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disease among young adults in the developed world1 with a wide range of associated symptoms including motor, sensory, visual and autonomic impairments.1 It affects an estimated 107 000 people in the UK.2 These individuals are often high users of health and social care services and self-report low health-related quality-of-life.3 4 Around 10% of patients are initially diagnosed with progressive MS and many with an initial relapsing remitting course will develop progressive MS and advancing disability over time.1 5

The benefits of supervised exercise in MS are well established such that physical activity interventions have become a cornerstone of MS rehabilitation with physical, psychological and social domain benefits.6 7 Regular physical activity can provide a sense of hope and purpose8 9 and people with MS, including those with progressive MS value and perceive benefit from keeping physically active and moving.10 11 However, in more recent years, there has been a shift in thinking away from ‘exercise training for fitness’ towards ‘physical activity for health’.12 To this end, explicitly supporting people with MS with the skills to select or alter their activities and individualise to their preferences, needs, time constraints and values is more likely to achieve a sustained change in behaviour.13 Indeed, building self-efficacy through goal setting and mastery along with coaching-style communication and self-monitoring are now well established as critically important determinants of sustained behaviours.7

A systematic review (including studies published up until 30 April 2015) identified 19 reports of behavioural change interventions aiming to increase activity and participation in people with MS. Interventions typically incorporated goal setting, barrier identification and information provision and were delivered either face to face, using tele-medicine technology or through unsupervised home-based exercise programmes with written material as support. They were effective in increasing physical activity over the short term, but had no effect on the physical components of quality of life or fatigue and initial increases in physical activity were not sustained in the longer term.14 Other researchers have previously developed interventions to promote physical activity in MS using a dedicated website and video chats with a coach.15 16 However, as with most MS physical activity research to date,6 7 10 11 17 18 studies have exclusively focused on patients who are ambulatory, despite non-ambulatory people with MS, with more advanced disease being most at risk of becoming inactive.

Seeking sustainable, cost-effective interventions that promote physical activity behaviours for all, in particular those who struggle with higher levels of disability, is clearly a priority. Furthermore providing clarity on the ways in which physiotherapists are best able to contribute to self-management support for physical activity for people with progressive MS (PwPMS), was highlighted during a research priority setting exercise run by the James Lind Alliance in partnership with the MS Society. Thus, we aimed to develop a theoretically informed physiotherapy intervention, the ‘Lifestyle Exercise and Activity Package for Multiple Sclerosis’ (LEAP-MS), that would to enable PwPMS to more readily engage in regular physical activity both in and out of their homes.

We used intervention mapping,19 a systematic approach to intervention development, that incorporates theory and evidence-based planning for behavioural change and acknowledges individuals’ behaviour as being dependent on their environment and social context. It has been applied in a range of behaviour change contexts and settings (both clinical and public health) including physical activity promotion in older age individuals,20 self-management interventions for rheumatoid arthritis,21 22 and for low back pain23 and theory-based interventions to promote physical activity in preschool and school age children.24 25

The first step of the intervention development process is the needs assessment which aims to identify areas for change, associated behavioural and environmental factors (barriers) that together inform the definition of intervention context and goals. Here, we report on the initial needs assessment and the subsequent development of LEAP-MS.

Methods

We used semistructured interviews to explore (1) the experiences of PwPMS (with significant disability limiting their walking and ability to participate in activities of daily living) and their families/carers in accessing and doing physical activity and (2) the perceptions, experiences and training needs of physiotherapists in supporting PwPMS to be physically active.

PwPMS were identified via a tertiary MS centre database, which held records of all persons with MS in the region that had given permission to be contacted about research projects applicable to them. Purposive sampling to ensure a representative balance of gender, age and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)26 score (with EDSS range between six and eight) was employed. Family members/carers were also invited to participate. Written informed consent was obtained for all research interviews apart from one interview where the participant was unable to hold a pen. In this case consent was verbal and witnessed. Physiotherapists and physiotherapy technicians were recruited via three participating University Health Boards.

Face-to-face interviews were conducted by a postdoctoral neurological physiotherapist with experience working with patients with MS and conducting and tailoring semi-structured interviews with people with a wide range of neurological deficits. Interviews explored past and present physical activity, including facilitators and barriers, support from physiotherapists (or not), experiences/understanding of ‘self-management' and their ideas for personalising an invention resource, (see Interview Topic Guide; online supplemental file 1). Interviews with physiotherapists focused on their experiences of supporting PwPMS to be physically active, their understanding of self-management principles and the application of these in everyday practice.

Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.27 This involved familiarisation with the data by rereading and annotating transcripts. The data were then systematically searched for recurring themes. Crucially, the researcher did not just look at recurring themes but also views that were unusual or contradictory. Analytic notes were made and labels (codes) were applied to sections of text. Codes were then grouped into categories of shared meaning. The strength of each initial category was considered, and key themes established through an inductive, latent thematic analysis. Categorical groupings were restructured as the data were revisited and themes which best captured the essence of the data formed. Once the final themes had been established, the data were revisited to ensure that all manifestations of each theme in the dataset had been accounted for.28

Six physiotherapists, 10 PwPMS and 5 family members attended a stakeholder event to contribute to step 4 of the intervention mapping process. They discussed (1) key barriers to physical activity and (2) possible solutions. These individuals were identified through advertising posters in MS specialist clinic areas and a local social media campaign with the support of the local MS Society and our public and patient involvement (PPI) group. Those present were asked to think about physical activities that they could do and those which they could envisage being of interest to others.

In one of four mini workshops attendees explored their readiness (or not) to access and use available technologies.

Patient and public involvement

The research question emerged as a result of a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Exercise. Patients and the public were involved in the design (interview and stakeholder event planning), conduct (delivering the stakeholder event and interpretation of the interview data), reporting of this research (developing a communication and producing video summaries of the findings) through an established PPI group. The chair of the PPI group was a member of the study management group attending regular management group meetings. The PPI group remain involved in ongoing dissemination plans for this research.

Results

The interview data (needs assessment) guided each subsequent intervention development step namely: (1) specification of a logic model of change based on anticipated intervention outcomes; performance objectives and behavioural determinants; (2) selection of applicable theory-based intervention methods and practical applications relevant to the determinants specified in (1); (3) development of a prototype intervention based on (2) to (3) as well as the aforementioned stakeholder event; (4) development of an adoption and implementation plan relevant to the specific intervention contexts and (5) design of an evaluation plan to assess process and future effectiveness. Main outcomes from each step of the process are depicted in figure 1.

Figure 1

Main outcomes at each step of the six step intervention mapping process. PwPMS, People with progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Step 1: needs assessment

Fourteen PwPMS with an EDSS score of between 6 and 8 and 7 of their families/carers participated in face-to-face interviews. Thirteen physiotherapists and one physiotherapy technician participated in interviews. We identified eight themes from interviews with PwPMS (and families/carers) and three themes from physiotherapist interviews that informed the intervention goals, namely that the PwPMS would develop a desirable and achievable physical activity plan. Critically this would be achieved through the development of a supportive coaching relationship with their physiotherapist.

Table 1 demonstrates the key themes and how they were associated with the overarching LEAP-MS intervention goals (behavioural outcomes), the related change and performance objectives and relevant behavioural determinants at both the intrapersonal level (ie, for the person with PwPMS) and the intrapersonal (ie, the physiotherapist). Practical implications for the intervention development are also detailed in table 1.

Table 1

Themes and key messages identified from interviews with PwPMS (and families/carers) and physiotherapists as well as associated LEAP-MS intervention goals, change objectives and practical considerations

Theme	Key messages	Intervention goals (behavioural outcomes)	Change objectives	Practical implications
Experience of information at point of diagnosis	How diagnosis was delivered and remembered by the participant was often influential in shaping their initial attitude towards their condition and could also impact on their long-term attitude towards physical activity.	Person with MS follows a desirable and achievable physical activity plan	Decide to be more active with MS	The need to provide information about how physical activity could help the management of MS symptoms and ‘myth bust’ long entrenched understandings shaped the inclusion of an ‘Information Suite’ within the LEAP-MS activity package and formed part
Relationship with physical activity and exercise pre-MS and post-MS	The relationships and attitudes PwPMS had with physical activity, sport and exercise before their MS diagnosis could impact on their attitudes towards physical activity following diagnosis.
Perception of the impact of physical activity on MS symptoms	Those who were clear that physical activity helped them manage their symptoms were more engaged with physical activity than those who could not see how it could help them.
Motivation	What did and did not motivate PwPMS to be physically active was highly individual—but included the ability to recognise how physical activity could help manage MS symptoms and the input of healthcare professions and peers.		Identify solutions for perceived barriers	Recognising the individuality of ‘motivation’—we included a range of functions and features in the LEAP-MS intervention including goal setting and self-progress monitoring, the option of meeting with physiotherapists up to six times and the ability for physiotherapists to view participants plans. This sense of being monitored by healthcare professions was seen as a key motivator for doing regular activities discussed.
Fear, falls and fatigue	The single biggest barriers to activity for people with progressive MS were either fatigue or a fear of falling.			We included information and advice about exercise and the management of fatigue in an ‘Information Suite’. We carefully selected activities including lots of seated options to enable activity with very low risk for those for whom either fear or risk of falling was high in the web platforms’ ‘Activities Suite’ and ensured key safety information and reminders were populated throughout the platform.
Therapies and interactions with healthcare professionals	Past and present interactions with physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals also played a part in attitudes towards physical activity.			We trained physiotherapists to take a self-management approach to their coaching sessions with participants which focused on enhancing physical activity rather than solving a particular problem or issue. Using self-management and focusing on enhancing well-being rather than looking at problems provided the opportunity for the participant-physiotherapy relationship to be re-set.
Reliance and risk	Most were happy to take measured risks but took support from (and spoke about the importance of support given by) partners and family members to help them mitigate risks as much as possible.		Create own personalised physical Activity plan	Recognising the importance of exercising together we recommended exercise with others on the LEAP-MS platform and for example, included activities which could be carried out with children to provide options for families to be active together.We provided basic safety information in the ‘Information Suite’ and through the use of self-management techniques in physiotherapy coaching sessions, supported (and skilled) PwPMS to make their own judgements about safety and mitigating risks.
Finance and facilities	PwPMS could be hampered from participating in physical activity due to issues of access to facilities or finance.Participants expressed confidence in the use of technology for a range of social and work purposes. While none were using these devices to support physical activity, the potential of online engagement to support physical activity was largely welcomed.			We ensured that LEAP-MS content and/or activities suggested were primarily: (1) free, (2) could be done at home or in open public spaces and/or (3) did not rely on expensive equipment.LEAP-MS provided alternative ways to meet with physiotherapists (eg, over zoom).
Physiotherapists as experts	Physiotherapists recognised the importance of physical activity in the management of MS symptoms, but were less confident in the application of exercise principles specific to the needs of people with long term neurological conditions.	Physiotherapist efficiently supports people with MS to engage in a desirable and achievable physical activity plan	Demonstrate confidence to develop a shared approach to exercise prescription, knowledge and skills to shape programmes to fit with individual needs	We developed a training package for physiotherapists which included asynchronous self-study of exercise principles for people with long term neurological conditions.
Focus on individual problems rather than on physical activity	Physiotherapists explained that there was little opportunity for physical activity’, general fitness or exercise to be a central focus of a session due to service structure and provision.		Endorse creative and individualised physical activity planning in LEAP-MS consultations	LEAP-MS offered intervention physiotherapists a new way to engage with PwPMS purely about physical activity rather than for ‘referred’ problems.
Self-management approaches to physical activity	Self-management as an approach was well accepted by those we interviewed but the level of skill and experience of using this approach varied significantly within our cohort.			Part of the LEAP-MS physiotherapy training package included bespoke self-management training delivered over two half day face-to-face sessions.

LEAP-MS, Lifestyle Exercise and Activity Package for Multiple Sclerosis; MS, multiple sclerosis; PwPMS, People with progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Step 2: developing a logic model of change

We produced a logic model of change (figure 2) which linked performance objectives to behavioural determinants that would lead to the proposed intervention outcomes over the short and medium term. Intrapersonal (for the PwPMS) performance objectives focused around three main areas—first, making a conscious decision to be more active; second, developing the skills and confidence to create a personal physical activity plan, which would include identifying suitable physical activities,29 weighing up the risks and benefits of each activity in relation to health, and to be confident in trying new things and third—identifying solutions for perceived barriers through access to timely and appropriate support from physiotherapists. A key dependency was that the physiotherapists themselves recognised the importance of personalised and tailored self-management support for physical activity and that they had the knowledge, confidence and skills to do so.

Figure 2

Logic model of change for the intervention detailing change objectives determinants, performance objectives and proposed behavioural (intrapersonal) and environmental (interpersonal) outcomes leading to intermediate and longer-term health outcomes for the person with multiple sclerosis (MS). LEAP-MS, Lifestyle Exercise and Activity Package for Multiple Sclerosis.

Step 3: selection of applicable theory-based intervention methods and applications

Recognising the need for specific methods to achieve physical activity behaviour change, for example, active learning, reinforcement, modelling, feedback, facilitation, goal setting and guided practice,30 we drew from two underlying programme theories: social cognitive theory and self-regulation theory. Social cognitive theory is a widely adopted theoretical framework used in physical activity interventions.31 32 Within social cognitive theory, behaviour is an outcome of the interaction of personal, social and physical factors within the environment and knowledge of self that will influence health beliefs and behaviours. The key construct within social cognitive theory is that of self-efficacy, defined as ‘a belief about individual capability to perform a certain behaviour’.31 Other critical constructs are in relation to exploring health beliefs, outcome expectations, barriers and facilitators and using knowledge of self in goal setting.33–36 Specific methods inherent in social cognitive theory-based interventions are goal mastery, active learning, reinforcement, modelling, feedback, facilitation and guided practice.37

Self-regulation theory argues that illness representations, beliefs and social and cultural contexts drive behavioural and emotional responses.38 Representations of the illness are personally evaluated, and individuals will typically respond to awareness of an issue by developing an action plan achieved through guided practice and goal setting.37 Online supplemental tables 1 and 2 depict the matrix of performance objectives, behavioural determinants and change objectives with associated theory-based methods, parameters and practical applications at the intrapersonal and interpersonal levels.

Step 4: designing and producing the intervention

The way in which PwPMS wanted to engage with physiotherapists was a critical factor in intervention design. Discussions at our stakeholder event highlighted that physiotherapy input in supporting physical activity engagement was warranted but ownership (autonomy) was critical to ongoing engagement. The presence of physiotherapists was only useful if they could recognise specific contexts and work with PwPMS to address their concerns. Flexible needs-driven communication with physiotherapists was preferred; those who saw physiotherapists as key motivators to their level of activity preferred more regular, scheduled contact.

Participants in our stakeholder event detailed extensive variety in activities which interested them indicating a requirement for a vast ‘library’ of activity ‘ideas’ to meet the needs of a very diverse population. The event confirmed our interview findings that a technological solution would be welcomed but that such a solution would require interactive functionality that could be personalised with text, audio and visual options for providing information, as well as access to remote support from physiotherapists. Many stakeholders had multiple personal technologies that they used daily in their home and most accessed the internet regularly to gain support and information about MS. Attendees were quick to suggest technological solutions to engaging with both activities and therapists and envisaged various features they would like to see in web-based tools—especially for the support of memory and motivation. They also identified that technology offered the potential for personalisation in a way that other methods could not.

The LEAP-MS intervention (www.leapms.org) was thus designed to consist of two key components: (1) face-to-face or web-based coaching with physiotherapists using self-management support strategies (to fulfil the change objectives detailed in step 2) and (2) a web-based platform including an information suite, an activity selection and planning tool specifically developed for PwPMS and a participant-physiotherapist messaging system (see figure 3). It was developed as a multiuser system that enables the pairing of MS participant and physiotherapist accounts. It promotes self-management and autonomous behaviour supported by physiotherapist as needed. In-platform messaging enables the physiotherapist to see and discuss participant choices, aims and progress building on a previous successfully tested multiuser system (TRAK39 40).

Figure 3

The web-based platform which includes multimedia education about being active with MS, tailored physical activity ideas and interactive functions enabling the development of personalised activity programmes, goal setting and activity logs. Unlike other physiotherapy-based web-based activity platforms for other conditions or general education platforms, the platform has a paired account function in which people with MS can be paired with their physiotherapist. Critically, rather than the physiotherapist selecting and prescribing activities, the person with MS has complete choice and control of this process. MS, multiple sclerosis.

The physical activity coaching approach is a development of an existing work book-based physical activity coaching intervention for people with Huntington’s disease.41 It promotes self-management skills through the use of coaching techniques and strategies as part of a Bridges self-management approach.42 In coaching sessions, PwPMS will learn how to navigate the LEAP-MS website, choose personal activities, set goals and log weekly activity. Physiotherapists will draw on their professional knowledge and skills of safe, appropriate physical activity and exercise specific to MS both verbally (face to face or remote) and through directing participants to the LEAP-MS web-based platform. Depending on needs and areas of importance identified by the PwPMS, they will encourage self-management approached through the discussion of strategies to anticipate and overcome barriers to physical activity and explore options for self-monitoring (including activity trackers and logs). They may also share examples of other PwPMS who have experienced similar challenges when initiating a new exercise programme—with discussion of how they overcame these, thus using modelling as a potential source of self-efficacy. After the initial session, physiotherapists will review any progress, safety concerns and progression of exercise as requested or initiated by the PwPMS and provide appropriate feedback for activity selection, attempts and engagement in regular physical activity. PwPMS can also use the inbuilt messaging function to communicate with their paired physiotherapist to seek additional support if needed.

Step 5: planning for adoption and implementation

A bespoke LEAP-MS training package43 which ensures skill development in provision of self-management support skills for physiotherapist42 alongside the appropriate use of technology in coaching sessions and application of physical activity and exercise guidelines for neurological conditions has been developed.44 The initial content was achieved through the conduct of a 2 day interactive training session, attended by physiotherapists likely to deliver the intervention in the subsequent evaluation, underpinned by Bridges Self-Management principles and delivered by Bridges Social Enterprise (http://www.bridgesselfmanagement.org.uk/). This workshop was video recorded and prepared for use as a final online training package accessed via the LEAP-MS multimedia online learning resource. Given the emergent challenges in rehabilitation service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic,45–47 and the anticipated move to greater use of remote intervention delivery, further resources (https://www.bridgesselfmanagement.org.uk/covid-19-resources/) to help structure remote interactions were made available as part of the final training package so as to ensure standardisation of coaching interactions regardless of mode of delivery (online or face to face in the home).

The key knowledge and skills required by physiotherapists to deliver the intervention informed specific training and the onwards planning for fidelity evaluation were captured in a purpose-developed fidelity checklist (online supplemental table 3). They include understanding of exercise principles and physical activity specifically for neurological conditions and those needed to facilitate the central approach of self-management, the ability to implement coaching conversations underpinned by self-management principles and language, having an understanding of how to adapt/modify exercise plans so that they are feasible and can fit with an individual’s needs, and abilities, favourable attitudes and the technical skills to support PwPMS to use web-based tools.

Step 6: evaluation plan

In line with the Medical Research Council Framework for Development and Evaluation of complex interventions,48 49 LEAP-MS will be evaluated within a single arm feasibility study with embedded process evaluation.43 After registration and initial eligible screening, 21 participants will be required to complete baseline self-report measures after which they will be able to access the intervention for an initial 3-month period. During this period, participants are given the option to request up to five further home-based or online physiotherapy coaching sessions as found acceptable in previous physical activity interventions using components of this intervention.41

Follow-up questionnaires and semistructured interviews will be administered 3 months after baseline with participants and intervention physiotherapists. The LEAP-MS platform will be available to participants for a further 3 months. Use of the LEAP-MS platform will be tracked during the full 6-month period and final follow-up will be conducted 6 months after baseline. Given the detailed development process followed it will be possible for the intervention to be fully described in line with the ‘Template for Intervention Description and Repli-cation’ checklist.50 Feasibility outcomes (recruitment, retention, intervention fidelity, uptake (website usage statistics) and safety) will be reported and the process evaluation will explore participant experiences of the intervention and explore possible mechanisms for any observed effects.

Discussion

Remote technologies to support the delivery of medical, mental health and rehabilitation services have been documented for many years and, with the ever-growing refinement and accessibility of technologies within the home, so has the interest of service users in remote delivery of health-based services.51 Telephone and web-based consultations for physiotherapy or musculoskeletal based assessment/outpatient triage has been in use for several decades,52 and the use of ‘wearables’—personal activity devices to monitor and motivate activity—account for much contemporary digital discussion in therapeutic literature.53–55

A vast array of digital technologies has been harnessed to support all aspects of MS care.56 Examples include those which focus particularly on physical activity via web-based units of self-directed learning combined with exercise programmes prescribed by a physiotherapist and a texting or email service,57 in-clinic prescribed exercise programmes combined with home-based automated prompt systems delivering reminders,58 web-displayed physiotherapy-prescribed exercise routines alongside telephone calls or web-based asynchronous communication with physiotherapists.59–61

None of these interventions however focus on people with high levels of disability and impairment and they do not combine real-time web conferencing to support patient–physiotherapist communication. Within this context, the LEAP-MS is unique in providing a tailored physical activity self-management support intervention for PwPMS with severe disability. The strong expression from PwPMS about autonomy and the ethos and embedding of self-management principles that was evident throughout this intervention mapping process was central to design and delivery of the LEAP-MS intervention. The resultant LEAP-MS intervention focuses on coaching PwPMS to consider and plan their own opportunities for physical activity through eliciting, acknowledging, and discussing participants’ perceptions and experiences of physical activity.33–36 It seeks to ensure PwPMS have control over when and how they access physiotherapist input including home-based, face-to-face or on-line (video based) coaching sessions. These coaching strategies directly support self-management through promoting goal setting and development of a personalised activity plan41 as part of a Bridges self-management approach.42 In this, key sources of self-efficacy, goal mastery and modelling are integral to coaching interactions, as both mediator of change and an anticipated outcome.

We followed the GUIDance for the rEporting of intervention Development framework to provide a comprehensive description of each step of the intervention development process.62 The context, purpose and target population were clearly defined and we used the six step intervention mapping process63 to develop a theoretically informed intervention. We ensured participation of all stakeholders throughout the process both through the conduct of interviews to inform the needs assessment and at the intervention design stage when we hosted a stakeholder event with a view to ensuring acceptability and relevance of our outputs. Interview participants and stakeholders were identified from across South Wales. Three members of our PPI steering committee reviewed the prototype intervention and engaged in initial feasibility testing to help the team refine implementation plans although we have yet to establish optimal delivery mode (face to face or remote are both options) and dose (participants can elect to receive up to six coaching sessions) and we cannot be sure that we have captured relevant content across all stages of progressive MS. While the ascertainment of views were limited to those in one single geographical area, the views expressed by our participants were well aligned to that reported in the literature in terms of barriers and facilitators of physical activity in PwPMS.17 29 36 Future associated studies will need to incorporate views of PwPMS from a broader spread of localities with specific reference to the role of physiotherapist coaches in providing self-management support for physical activity in PwPMS.

LEAP-MS is a bespoke intervention that addresses the fundamental, individual, and relational barriers to maintaining meaningful activity that are not routinely considered in directed and structured physiotherapy interventions. It is now ready for initial evaluation in a single-arm feasibility and acceptability study with embedded process evaluation (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03951181). It is our view that our ongoing emphasis on codesign will ensure intervention acceptability and adherence and this initial evaluation will seek to provide robust user experience data which will inform further intervention refinement ahead of full-scale evaluation.