Physical activity correlates with neurological impairment and disability in multiple sclerosis

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; ρ = -0.58) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (r = -0.60; ρ = -0.69) and a moderate negative correlation between the accelerometer and PS (r=-0.39; ρ= -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.