Abstract
BackgroundMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common neurodegenerative disease, which often has a devastating effect on physical and emotional wellbeing of people with MS (PwMS). Several studies have shown positive effects of physical activity (PA) on disability, health related quality of life (HRQOL), and other outcomes. However, many studies include only people with mild disability making it difficult to generalize findings to those with moderate or severe disability. This study investigated the associations between PA and HRQOL, relapse rate (RR), disability, and demographic variables in PwMS with varying disability.MethodsThrough online platforms this large international survey recruited 2232 participants with MS who completed items regarding PA, MS and other health characteristics.ResultsPwMS who were younger (p < .001), male (p = 0.006), and with lower body mass index (BMI) (p < .001) undertook more PA, which was associated with decreased disability (p < 0.001) and increased HRQOL measures (all p < 0.001). For the subsample of people with relapsing-remitting MS, PA was associated with a decreased RR (p = 0.009). Regression analyses showed that increased PA predicted clinically significant improvements in HRQOL while controlling for level of disability, age and gender. More specifically, increasing from low to moderate and to high PA increased estimated mean physical health composite from 47.7 to 56.0 to 59.9 respectively (25.6% change), mental health composite from 60.6 to 67.0 to 68.8 (13.5% change), energy subscale from 35.9 to 44.5 to 49.8 (38.7% change), social function subscale from 57.8 to 66.1 to 68.4 (18.3% change), and overall QOL subscale from 58.5 to 64.5 to 67.7 (15.7% change).ConclusionsFor PwMS, regardless of disability level, increased PA is related to better HRQOL in terms of energy, social functioning, mental and physical health. These are important findings that should be taken into consideration by clinicians treating PwMS.
Highlights
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common neurodegenerative disease, which often has a devastating effect on physical and emotional wellbeing of people with MS (PwMS)
Aim In the current study, which is part of a large international survey of people with MS and the first baseline data collected as part of a longitudinal dataset, we investigate the associations between self-initiated physical activity (PA) or exercise, and health related quality of life (HRQOL), relapse rate, disease activity and disability, as well as demographic variables
Physical activity and demographics Disability Level of disability was strongly related to the level of PA, those with a higher level of disability had a lower level of PA and vice-versa (p < 0.001) (Table 3)
Summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common neurodegenerative disease, which often has a devastating effect on physical and emotional wellbeing of people with MS (PwMS). Several studies have shown positive effects of physical activity (PA) on disability, health related quality of life (HRQOL), and other outcomes. PwMS generally have lower levels of quality of life (QOL) compared to the general population [11], and the evidence is inconclusive [12,13], several studies have reported beneficial effects of PA on QOL in PwMS [14,15,16]. Many trials investigating the effects of PA on MS have included only a small number of people, usually with mild to moderate disability, not experiencing any exacerbations, and study outcome measures were found to be inconsistent. While there seems to be an overall positive effect of PA, the evidence is inconclusive; and more research is needed to be able to draw strong conclusions [5,17,18,19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
