Accelerometer measured physical activity and the integrity of the anterior visual pathway in multiple sclerosis

Brian M. Sandroff, Robert W. Motl, Jason P. Kam, John H. Pula

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose To examine the associations among objectively-measured physical activity with the optical coherence tomography (OCT) metrics of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and total macular volume (TMV) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Eighty four participants with MS, without ocular disease or high myopia underwent a neurological examination for Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scoring, followed by OCT. Participants then wore an accelerometer during the waking hours of a 7-day period to objectively measure physical activity as steps/day. Results Mean RNFL thickness for the sample was 91.46 μm (SD=15.0), and mean TMV was 6.61 mm3 (SD=0.5). The mean score from the accelerometer was 4287 steps/day (SD=2563). Steps/day was significantly associated with both RNFL thickness (Wald χ2= 46.48, p<0.001) and TMV (Wald χ2=1798.27, p<0.001). After controlling for sex, MS subtype, disease duration, disability, and visual function, steps/day was significantly associated with TMV (Wald χ2=58.93, p<0.001), but not RNFL (Wald χ2=0. 001, p=0.973). Conclusions Physical activity was associated with integrity of the anterior visual pathway, assessed by OCT, in persons with MS, and this association was independent of sex, MS subtype, disease duration, disability, and visual function. Researchers should consider examining the causal nature of the association between physical activity and markers of the visual system in MS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)117-122
Number of pages6
JournalMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014

Keywords

  • Accelerometers
  • Imaging
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Optical coherence tomography
  • Physical activity
  • Total macular volume

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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