Symptoms and physical activity behavior in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Robert W Motl, Erin M. Snook, Randall T. Schapiro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We examined overall and specific symptoms as correlates of physical activity in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants (N = 133) completed questionnaires that measured overall symptoms; and specific symptoms of depression, pain, and fatigue; difficulty walking; and physical activity. Initial analyses indicated that higher levels of over-all symptoms (r=-.50), fatigue (r=-.26), and difficulty walking (r=-.46) were associated with lower levels of physical activity. Path analysis demonstrated that higher levels of overall symptoms were directly and indirectly associated with lower levels of physical activity; the indirect pathway involved difficulty walking (γβ=-17). Such findings indicate that walking difficulty may partially explain the negative relationship between overall symptoms and physical activity behavior in MS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)466-475
Number of pages10
JournalResearch in Nursing and Health
Volume31
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2008

Keywords

  • Cognitive impairment
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Pain
  • Physical activity
  • Symptoms
  • Walking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nursing(all)

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