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Lower Physical Activity in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis at Increased Fall Risk: A Cross-sectional Study
Emerson Sebastião1, Yvonne C Learmonth, Robert W Motl
1From the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
|April 18, 2017
Summary
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have an increased fall risk (IFR) take significantly fewer steps daily than those with normal fall risk (NFR). Interventions should focus on improving walking for individuals with MS, especially those with IFR.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Fear of falling is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and can impact physical activity (PA).
- Understanding PA levels in relation to fall risk is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate physical activity (PA) levels in persons with MS based on their fall risk categories.
- To compare daily step counts and activity intensity between individuals with increased fall risk (IFR) and normal fall risk (NFR).
Main Methods:
- Forty-seven individuals with MS were categorized into IFR or normal fall risk (NFR) groups using the Activities-Balance Confidence scale.
- Physical activity was objectively measured using accelerometers over 7 consecutive days, assessing steps per day and time spent in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous PA.
- Univariate and covariate analyses were employed to compare PA differences between groups, controlling for disability level.
Main Results:
- The NFR group averaged significantly more steps per day (6024 ± 2533.1) compared to the IFR group (2599 ± 1622.7), a difference that persisted after controlling for disability.
- No significant differences in light PA or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were observed between the groups after adjusting for disability.
- Individuals with MS and IFR accumulated substantially fewer daily steps than those with NFR.
Conclusions:
- Persons with MS categorized as having increased fall risk demonstrate lower daily step counts compared to those with normal fall risk.
- Current PA levels, particularly daily steps, fall short of recommended targets in this population.
- There is a clear need for targeted interventions to enhance walking and overall PA in individuals with MS, with a specific focus on those at increased risk of falling.