Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
11:35
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Self-reported health promotion and disability progression in multiple sclerosis
Marie Beatrice D'hooghe1, Guy Nagels, Jacques De Keyser
1National MS Center, Vanheylenstraat 16, 1820 Melsbroek, Belgium; Department of Neurology UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. marie.dhooghe@mscenter.be
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|January 9, 2013
Summary
Engaging in health-promoting behaviors like physical activity and good nutrition may slow disability progression in relapsing onset multiple sclerosis (MS). This study highlights the importance of lifestyle choices for managing MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Lifestyle Medicine
Background:
- Health behaviors are increasingly recognized as potential modulators of disease progression.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition where disability progression significantly impacts quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between health-promoting behaviors, assessed using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, and disability progression in individuals with MS.
- To explore specific subscales of health-promoting behavior, including health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relationships, and stress management.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1372 individuals diagnosed with definite MS.
- Time-to-event analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to assess the time to reaching an Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) of 6.
- Analyses were adjusted for gender, age at onset, and immunomodulatory treatment.
Main Results:
- Higher overall health-promoting behavior scores, particularly in physical activity, nutrition, and spiritual growth, were associated with a reduced risk of reaching EDSS 6 in individuals with relapsing onset MS.
- No significant associations were observed for health responsibility, stress management, or interpersonal relationships subscales.
- No significant associations were found in individuals with progressive onset MS.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported health-promoting behaviors are linked to slower disability progression in individuals with relapsing onset MS.
- Specific lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, nutrition, and spiritual growth, may play a protective role in managing MS disability.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:26Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
Health promotion allows a person to control the determinants of health, resulting in an improved health status. It enhances the quality of life and reduces premature deaths. Health promotion and illness prevention programs help people make beneficial choices to reduce the risk of disease and disabilities. There are three health promotion and illness prevention levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
01:18Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention II
The person's health status fluctuates continually, varying from being in good health to becoming ill and returning to being healthy. To understand the concept of illness prevention, there are two models. First, the health-illness continuum model is a graphic representation of an individual's wellness. It states that a person is considered healthy in the absence of physical disease and the presence of good emotional health.
The agent-host-environment model states that disease results from...
The agent-host-environment model states that disease results from...
01:25Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention I
A model is a theoretical way to understand a concept or an idea. Models can overcome barriers to health regardless of diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. In addition, models make the task easier by providing different ways to approach complex issues. There are two major health promotion models: the health belief model and the health promotion model.
The health belief model (HBM) attempts to predict health-related behavior in specific belief patterns. According to the HBM, a person's...
The health belief model (HBM) attempts to predict health-related behavior in specific belief patterns. According to the HBM, a person's...
01:18Factors Affecting Illness
When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...