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The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
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Predictors and moderators of the disablement process in persons with multiple sclerosis
Alexa Stuifbergen1, Adama Brown, Lorraine Phillips
1The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, Austin, TX 78701, USA. astuifbergen@mail.utexas.edu
Neurorehabilitation
|April 3, 2009
Summary
Behavioral and psychological factors significantly impact multiple sclerosis disablement. Barriers, social support, and health behaviors consistently predict functional limitations, disability, and quality of life in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Psychology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease impacting function and quality of life.
- Understanding factors influencing the disablement process in MS is crucial for effective management.
- Behavioral and psychological elements may play a significant role in MS progression and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how behavioral and psychological factors influence the disablement process in individuals with MS.
- To identify contextual factors, resources, barriers, and health behaviors predicting functional limitations, disability, and quality of life in MS.
- To examine potential moderators in the relationship between functional limitations, disability, and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 442 persons with multiple sclerosis.
- Data collected via validated measures for demographic, disease-related variables, barriers, social support, health behaviors, functional limitations, disability, and quality of life.
- Regression analyses were employed to identify predictors and moderators.
Main Results:
- Predictors explained significant variance in functional limitations (R2 = 0.37), disability (R2 = 0.36), and quality of life (R2 = 0.68).
- No significant moderators were found for the relationships between functional limitations and disability, or disability and quality of life.
- Barriers, social support, and health behaviors emerged as consistent predictors across outcome variables.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral and psychological factors, specifically barriers, social support, and health behaviors, are key determinants in the disablement process for individuals with MS.
- These factors significantly predict functional limitations, disability, and quality of life, highlighting targets for intervention.
- While moderators were not identified, the direct impact of these psychosocial elements underscores their importance in managing MS.
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