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BMC Neurology
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Physical activity and associated levels of disability and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis: a large international survey

Authors: Claudia H Marck, Emily J Hadgkiss, Tracey J Weiland, Dania M van der Meer, Naresh G Pereira, George A Jelinek

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

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. 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.

Methods

Through online platforms this large international survey recruited 2232 participants with MS who completed items regarding PA, MS and other health characteristics.

Results

PwMS 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).

Conclusions

For 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.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Physical activity and associated levels of disability and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis: a large international survey
Authors
Claudia H Marck
Emily J Hadgkiss
Tracey J Weiland
Dania M van der Meer
Naresh G Pereira
George A Jelinek
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-14-143

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