Schlagheck ML, Hübner ST, Joisten N, Walzik D, Rademacher A, Wolf F, Bansi J, Warnke C, Zimmer P. Physical activity is related to disease severity and fatigue, but not to relapse rate in persons with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis - a self-reported questionnaire based study.
Front Neurol 2023;
14:1217000. [PMID:
37583953 PMCID:
PMC10423808 DOI:
10.3389/fneur.2023.1217000]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Based on theoretical models, physical activity has been introduced as a promoting method to mitigate the disease severity, fatigue and relapse rate in multiple sclerosis. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the relation between self-reported physical activity level and disease severity, fatigue and relapse rate in persons with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Methods
A survey was offered to persons with RRMS from March 2019 to August 2021 (n = 253). Physical activity level, fatigue and disease severity were determined using the Godin Leisure-Time Questionnaire (GLTEQ), the Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scale and the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC). Additionally, participants' relapse rate was recorded.
Results
Bivariate correlations revealed an inverse relation between physical activity level and PDDS (ρ = -0.279; p < 0.001) as well as between physical activity and FSMC (r = -0.213, p < 0.001), but not between physical activity and relapse rate (r = 0.033, p > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses explained 12.6% and 5.2% of the variance of PDDS and FSMC.
Conclusion
Our findings confirm a relation between self-reported physical activity, disease severity and fatigue in persons with RRMS. However, self-reported physical activity level does not seem to affect the annualised relapse rate.
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