Determination of the factors affecting the level of physical activity in the patients with multiple sclerosis

Objective: The aim is to determine the factors affecting the level of physical activity in the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: 52 patients with MS were included in the study. Disability level was determined with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC). Subjective level of physical activity was assessed with the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. For determining the objective level of physical activity, Caltrac? accelerometer was used for 7 days by the patients. The 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWD), the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW), the Six Spot Step Test (SSST) and the MS Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12) were used for the assessment of walking. The Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) for fatigue, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression, the MS International Quality of Life Questionnaire (MusiQoL) for quality of life was used. The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test-3 (PASAT-3), the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire - Self-report and Informant-report forms (MSNQ-S and MSNQ-I) were used for the evaluation of cognition. Results: The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire had a moderate correlation with Caltrac? accelerometer (r=0. 305). The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire had correlations with EDSS (r=-0.372), 6MWT (r=0.464), T25-FW (r=-0.498), FIS (r=-0.310), BDI (r=-0.320), and MusiQoL (r=0.361). Caltrac? accelerometer had correlations with male sex (r=0.397), body mass index (BMI) (r=0.337), employment status (r=0.279) and 6MWT (r=0.278). There was no correlation between the level of physical activity and the cognitive status. It was determined that the factor affecting the level of physical activity measured with the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire was the T25-FW (ß=-0,422). The factors affecting the level of physical activity measured with the Caltrac? accelerometer were sex (ß=0,371) and BMI (ß=0,268). Conclusion: The factor affecting the subjective level of physical activity was the T25-FW. The factors affecting the objective level of physical activity were sex and BMI. Both subjective and objective measurement methods should be used for determining the level of physical activity in the patients with MS. Key Words: Multiple sclerosis, physical activity, accelerometer