Health Behaviour of persons with Multiple Sclerosis in Germany: Current status and development of supportive strategies for smoking cessation and dietary behaviour change (BEHAVIMS)

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition which manifests based on genetic vulnerability coupled with environmental factors leading to substantial disability in at least two thirds of persons with MS. Health behaviours like physical activity, non-smoking and diet have the potential to impact positively on MS disease course. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the actual health behaviour of persons with MS. Moreover, evidence-based management of health behaviours is not integrated into clinical MS care in Germany to date, while the interest of patients is high. Our project aims to close research gaps and address two important health behaviours in MS: Tobacco smoking and dietary habits. Specifically, our project pursues the following four objectives: 1. Description of the health behaviour of persons with MS in two different patient populations: The German population-representative NAKO Gesundheitsstudie and a clinical sample from the MS Day Clinic of a university hospital. A special aim here is to clarify to which extent a university cohort is representative in assessing health behaviours in MS. 2. Develop an online smoking cessation intervention for persons with MS based on a needs assessment and the Germany wide established evaluated programme “Rauchfrei” for the general population. 3. Promote food literacy and informed decisions by developing an evidence-based patient information and decision aid on diet for persons with MS. 4. Develop a screening tool for dietary assessment and a food literacy questionnaire in MS to be used in clinical research and care.