Physical activity correlates with neurological impairment and disability in multiple sclerosis

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2008 Jun;196(6):492-5. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e318177351b.

Abstract

This study examined the correlation of physical activity with neurological impairment and disability in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Eighty individuals with MS wore an accelerometer for 7 days and completed the Symptom Inventory (SI), Performance Scales (PS), and Expanded Disability Status Scale. There were large negative correlations between the accelerometer and SI (r = -0.56; rho = -0.58) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (r = -0.60; rho = -0.69) and a moderate negative correlation between the accelerometer and PS (r = -0.39; rho = -0.48) indicating that physical activity was associated with reduced neurological impairment and disability. Such findings provide a preliminary basis for using an accelerometer and the SI and PS as outcome measures in large-scale prospective and experimental examinations of the effect of physical activity behavior on disability and dependence in MS.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disability Evaluation*
  • Exercise* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / diagnosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / psychology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / rehabilitation*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / diagnosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / psychology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / rehabilitation*
  • Neurologic Examination