Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease that affects the central nervous system. The impact of MS transcends physical functions and extends to psychological impairment. Approximately 50% of people with MS develop depressive symptoms during their lifetime and depressive symptoms may predict impairment of physical functions. However, prediction of depressive symptoms based on objective measures of physical functions is still necessary. To compare physical functions between people with MS presenting depressive symptoms or not and to identify predictors of depressive symptoms using objective measures of physical functions. Cross-sectional study including 26 people with MS. Anxiety and/or depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Outcomes of physical functions included: the Nnnine-hole Ppeg Ttest (NHPT), knee muscle strength, balance control, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Perceived exertion was measured using the Borg scale. The frequency of depressive symptoms was 42% in people with MS. Balance control during a more challenging task was impaired in people with MS who presented depressive symptoms. Balance could explain 21-24% of the variance in depressive symptoms. 6MWT and TUG presented a trend of significance explaining 16% of the variance in the BDI-II score. Impairment in physical functions consists in a potential predictor of depressive symptoms in people with MS. Exercise interventions aiming at the improvement of physical functions, together with the treatment of depressive symptoms and conventional medical treatment, are suggested.
Highlights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that affects the central nervous system
The main finding of the present study is that the outcome of a more challenging balance test, the COPfoam, could significantly predict depressive symptoms, explaining 21 and 24% of the variance in the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-D, respectively
In their study, balance was measured by the subjective Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), suggesting that the ability to perform dynamic balance tasks during activities of daily living is affected by the level of depressive symptoms
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that affects the central nervous system. 50% of people with MS develop depressive symptoms during their lifetime and depressive symptoms may predict impairment of physical functions.,prediction of depressive symptoms based on objective measures of physical functions is still necessary. Objective: To compare physical functions between people with MS presenting depressive symptoms or not and to identify predictors of depressive symptoms using objective measures of physical functions. Outcomes of physical functions included: the Nnnine-hole Ppeg Ttest (NHPT), knee muscle strength, balance control, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Balance control during a more challenging task was impaired in people with MS who presented depressive symptoms. Balance could explain 21–24% of the variance in depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Impairment in physical functions consists in a potential predictor of depressive symptoms in people with MS. Exercise interventions aiming at the improvement of physical functions, together with the treatment of depressive symptoms and conventional medical treatment, are suggested
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