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Food Diary
31 October 2024

New research: Long-term benefits of lifestyle changes for people with MS

This month sees an exciting new research publication from our long-term partners at the Neuroepidemiology Unit (NEU) at the University of Melbourne.  This study followed a group of 95 participants with multiple sclerosis (MS), five years after attending a one-off intensive lifestyle education workshop. The 3-year follow-up has been previously published here.

The Overcoming MS retreats were originally based on this immersive workshop model. The findings provide compelling evidence that in conjunction with conventional treatments in managing MS, attending an intensive workshop can significantly improve physical and mental health, as well as overall quality of life for people with MS over the long term.

The workshop: An intensive lifestyle approach

Participants in the study attended a five-day, live-in workshop led by healthcare professionals, including Professor George Jelinek , with lived experience of MS and lifestyle modification. The supported self-management programme offered education and interventions around key lifestyle factors associated with MS disease activity and progression. These included diet, vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation, physical activity, and stress management, all current areas of the Overcoming MS Program.  Participants also took part in practical sessions on food preparation, meditation, and exercise. Importantly, the workshop fostered a supportive community atmosphere that encouraged open discussions about lifestyle modification challenges and successes.

Positive changes in lifestyle and health over five years

The study’s long-term results at the 5-year mark highlight a range of sustained positive changes in both lifestyle habits and health outcomes, illustrating how even a single, intensive intervention can have long-term effects:

  • Dietary quality improvements: Participants significantly improved their diet quality, with more individuals adhering to non-dairy, plant-focused nutrition and increasing omega-3 supplementation.
  • Increased self-confidence in health management: This shift can empower individuals to make further positive lifestyle choices and engage more actively in their health journey.
  • Mental and physical quality of life: Participants reported higher quality of life scores in both physical and mental health domains at both three- and five-year follow-ups. These improvements were clinically significant and included reduced feelings of physical limitation and enhanced mental well-being.
  • Smoking cessation: A notable increase in smoking cessation rates was reported. Smoking has been linked to MS progression, and quitting can have substantial health benefits.

Implications for MS management

These results are consistent with previous studies, such as the HOLISM (Health Outcomes and Lifestyle in a Sample of people with MS) study, which linked lifestyle changes to positive health outcomes. The overlap is further evidence that the lifestyle modifications promoted by Overcoming MS, and embraced in our immersive retreats, are a feasible and beneficial strategy for people with MS and that education and support can catalyse long-term health improvements.

The Overcoming MS retreat model has now evolved to a hybrid approach of online and in-person sessions, increasing accessibility and reducing costs.  Initial data presented at the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) Conference 2024, found retreat participants’ physical and mental well-being scores increased by 57% and 46% respectively, indicating this new approach could work to expand the reach and sustainability of immersive retreat workshops. Future studies could explore additional ways to deliver workshops and assess their effectiveness. We plan to investigate the potential added value of follow-up support, whether through regular events or digital platforms like the Overcoming MS Live Well Hub, to sustain lifestyle changes.

Conclusion: A message of hope and empowerment

This study brings hope and a message of empowerment to the MS community. The evidence suggests that even a single, well-structured lifestyle education workshop can enable meaningful, long-lasting improvements.

At Overcoming MS, we work to equip individuals with the tools and support they need to make informed lifestyle choices. With continued research and advocacy, we aim to make lifestyle interventions an integral part of MS management, offering people with MS the possibility of a better quality of life through self-care.

You can read the full paper here.

The Overcoming MS abstract, “Hybrid Retreat Model Supports Health Improvement in Multiple Sclerosis” presented at the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) Conference can be found here.