The relationship between physical activity and symptoms of fatigue, mood, and perceived cognitive impairment in adults with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is achronic neurological condition that requires costly treatment for aconstellation of motor and sensory symptoms, as well as fatigue, depression, and cognitive problems. Given that this pharmacological treatment often results in side effects, there is acrucial need for low-costbehavioral treatments that are effective in further reducing MS symptoms. It has been hypothesized that physical activity may slow the neurodegenerative progression of MS. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity and commonly reported MS symptoms, including fatigue, depression, and perceived cognitive impairment.Method: 86 individuals with MS responded to amail-outquestionnaire. Physical activity, fatigue, mood, and perceived cognitive impairment were assessed using the following measures: Godin Leisure-TimeExercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Patient Deficit Questionnaire (PDQ). Descriptive and correlational statistics were calculated to investigate the relationship between scores on the GLTEQ and scores on the MFIS, PHQ-9, and PDQ.Results: Overall, there was asignificant negative relationship between physical activity (GLTEQ) and fatigue (MFIS; r= –.34, p= .002) and depression (PHQ-9; r= –.23, p= .034) in individuals with MS. There was not asignificant relationship between physical activity and overall perceived cognitive dysfunction (PDQ; r= –.19, p= .08), but when the PDQ subscales were examined, there was asignificant relationship with perceived retrospective (r = 0.24, p= .03) and prospective memory abilities (r = –.22, p= .04). When the RRMS and progressive subtypes were examined separately, we observed asimilar pattern of results for the RRMS group, but the progressive MS group did not reach significance.Conclusions: Individuals with MS who reported more strenuous and/or frequent physical activity, reported fewer problems with fatigue, depression, and perceived memory abilities.