Correlates of Objectively Measured Physical Activity Among People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Identifying correlates of physical activity (PA) for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is essential to design effective PA interventions. Methods: Participants completed a battery of questionnaires and wore an ActiGraph accelerometer. Light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (min/day) were calculated. Associations were examined using multiple linear regression adjusted for demographic and clinical confounders. Results: Fifty-eight adults with MS participated (mean ± SD age: 56.8 ± 9.2 yr; 67% women). MS type was associated with time in LPA. Participants with secondary progressive MS (B = -54.0, 95% CI -84.7 to -23.3) and primary progressive MS (B = -42.9, 95% CI -77.5 to -8.3) spent less time in LPA than those with relapsing remitting MS. Walking capacity, assessed using the 12-item MS walking scale (MSWS-12), was associated with time in MVPA (B = -0.36, 95% CI -0.72 to -0.01). Conclusion: This work identifies walking capacity and type of MS as correlates of PA, which may indicate development of interventions to promote PA.

Patterns and correlates of sedentary behaviour among people with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

High levels of sedentary behaviour are associated with poor health outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Identifying modifiable correlates of sedentary behaviour for people with MS is essential to design effective intervention strategies to minimise sedentary time. This study aimed to quantify patterns and identify correlates of sedentary behaviour among adults with MS. Fatigue, self-efficacy, walking capability, the physical and psychological impact of MS, health-related quality of life, and participation and autonomy were assessed by questionnaire. Participants wore an activPAL monitor. Total (min/day), prolonged bouts (≥ 30 min) and breaks in sedentary time were calculated. Associations were examined using regression analysis adjusted for demographic and clinical confounders. Fifty-six adults with MS participated (mean ± SD age: 57.0 ± 9.25 years; 66% female). Self-efficacy for control over MS was associated with sedentary time (ß = 0.16, 95% CI 0.01, 0.30). Self-efficacy in function maintenance (ß = 0.02, 95% CI 0.00, 0.04), health-related quality of life (EuroQol-5D) (ß = 31.60, 95% CI 7.25, 55.96), and the autonomy indoors subscale of the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (ß = - 5.11, 95% CI - 9.74, - 0.485) were associated with breaks in sedentary time. Future studies should consider self-efficacy, health-related quality of life and participation and autonomy as potential components of interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour.