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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 466-475 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Research in Nursing and Health |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2008 |
Keywords
- Cognitive impairment
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Multiple sclerosis
- Pain
- Physical activity
- Symptoms
- Walking
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nursing(all)