Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of an Online Diet Intervention for Promoting Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract

Objective: Test an intervention promoting fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake among persons with multiple sclerosis.

Methods: The study was a prepost single group clinical trial in which weeks 1-4 included daily logging into an application to report attainment of 800 g F&V goal, F&V variety, and reading of educational content. In weeks 4-8, participants only logged F&V goals and variety (NCT05712408). Primary measures included feasibility, acceptability, and change in diet behavior measured using Healthy Eating Index scores, metabolic health biomarkers, body composition, cognition, and multiple sclerosis symptoms. A paired sample t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were conducted to assess efficacy outcomes of interest.

Results: Fourteen participants completed the study, and all rated the overall program as excellent or good. Analyses indicated significant positive changes in Healthy Eating Index Total (P = 0.001), vegetable (P = 0.04), fruit (P = 0.004), and whole fruit (P = 0.01) component scores, blood glucose (P = 0.04), and mental health-related quality of life (P = 0.03).

Conclusions and implications: This study provides evidence regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an online diet program promoting F&V intake among persons with multiple sclerosis.