Physical Activity in People with Multiple Sclerosis: Which Clinical Characteristics are Important?

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to significantly improve the mental and physical functioning of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Despite being important, MS patients do not engage in enough PA. To encourage changes in health behaviour, it is important to identify the factors that affect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Multiple sclerosis and related disorders Vol. 80; p. 105275
Main Authors: Almusallam, Mozza, Abdallah, Suhaila, Albaker, Lolwa, Elkhoty, Laila, Saeed, Marya, Allen, Jennifer, Latrous, Mariem, Khazaaleh, Shada, Al-Sharman, Alham, El-Salem, Khalid
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier B.V 01-12-2023
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Physical activity (PA) has been shown to significantly improve the mental and physical functioning of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Despite being important, MS patients do not engage in enough PA. To encourage changes in health behaviour, it is important to identify the factors that affect PA levels either positively or negatively. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 PwMS. PA levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). In addition, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used to measure the severity of the disease, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to asses both anxiety and depression, the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) to measure the fatigue levels, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality, the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) to assess an individual's beliefs in their ability to continue exercising, and the Six Minute Walk test (6MWT) to assess walking performance. Social support was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support scale (MSPSS) and participation levels were assessed using the Activity Card Sort (ACS). Demographic variables including age and gender were also recorded. Multiple linear logistic regression was used to identify associations between variable factors and physical activity in MS patients. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that after adjusting for age and gender, diseases severity, social support from family, fatigue level, level of participation in leisure physical were negatively associated with levels of PA (p<0.05). On the other hand, anxiety level, and participation in instrumental activities of daily living were positively associated with levels of PA (p<0.05). This study indicated that factors that could influence participation in physical activity in MS are multifactorial and include disease severity, anxiety, fatigue, participation in leisure and instrumental activities of daily living, and social support. By addressing these factors in PwMS, we may improve PA in this population. These factors should be taken into consideration when planning rehabilitation interventions in PwMS.
ISSN:2211-0348
DOI:10.1016/j.msard.2023.105275