ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHANGE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SHORT-TERM DISABILITY PROGRESSION IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Objective: This study examined change in physical activity as a behavioral correlate of short-term disability progression in persons with multiple sclerosis over a 6-month period. Design: Panel design. Subjects: The sample included 292 persons with multiple sclerosis. Methods: Participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days as a measure of physical activity and then provided demographics and clinical information and completed the Patient Determined Disease Steps scale as a measure of disability. After a 6-month period, participants provided information about the occurrence of a relapse in the previous 6 months and again wore an accelerometer for 7 days and completed the Patient Determined Disease Steps scale. Results: Panel analysis indicated associations between baseline physical activity and disability (path coefficient=-0.41, p<0.001) and 6-month change in physical activity and disability progression (path coefficient=-0.09, p=0.025). Conclusion: Such findings provide preliminary support for a reduction in physical activity as a behavioral correlate, but not necessarily cause, of short-term disability progression in persons with multiple sclerosis.