Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026
A Protocol for the Use of Remotely-Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS in Multiple Sclerosis MS
Published on: December 26, 2015
Pediatric multiple sclerosis: current perspectives on health behaviors
Elizabeth Morghen Sikes1, Robert W Motl1, Jayne M Ness2
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Insights
Health behaviors like physical activity, diet, and sleep show promise for pediatric multiple sclerosis (POMS). These interventions may reduce relapse rates and improve fatigue, but further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) affects approximately 10,000 children in the USA.
- POMS is characterized by a higher relapse rate and earlier onset of disability compared to adult-onset MS.
- Associated symptoms include cognitive impairment, fatigue, and depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on the potential benefits of health behaviors in POMS.
- To explore the relationship between physical activity, diet, sleep, and disease burden in pediatric multiple sclerosis.
- To identify gaps in research regarding health behavior interventions for POMS.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Google Scholar, and CINAHL.
- Keywords included "pediatric multiple sclerosis," "POMS," "health behavior," "physical activity," "sleep," "diet," and "nutrition."
- Included studies were in English and focused on POMS with an emphasis on diet, sleep, or physical activity.
Main Results:
- Twenty papers were reviewed, with 11 focusing on diet, 8 on activity, and 3 on sleep.
- Physical activity was linked to reduced relapse rates and fatigue.
- Nutritional factors like Vitamin D and obesity were associated with disease burden and risk.
Conclusions:
- Health behaviors, especially physical activity, diet, and sleep, may offer significant benefits for children with POMS.
- Current research indicates a positive association between these behaviors and disease markers.
- There is a critical need for targeted interventions to promote these health behaviors and manage POMS manifestations.
Purpose:
Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) accounts for ~5% of all multiple sclerosis cases, and has a prevalence of ~10,000 children in the USA. POMS is associated with a higher relapse rate, and results in irreversible disability on average 10 years earlier than adult-onset multiple sclerosis. Other manifestations of POMS include mental and physical fatigue, cognitive impairment, and depression. We believe that the health behaviors of physical activity, diet, and sleep may have potential benefits in POMS, and present a scoping review of the existing literature.
Methods:
We identified papers by searching three electronic databases (PubMed, GoogleScholar, and CINAHL). Search terms included: pediatric multiple sclerosis OR pediatric onset multiple sclerosis OR POMS AND health behavior OR physical activity OR sleep OR diet OR nutrition OR obesity. Papers were included in this review if they were published in English, referenced nutrition, diet, obesity, sleep, exercise, or physical activity, and included pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis as a primary population.
Results:
Twenty papers were identified via the literature search that addressed health-promoting behaviors in POMS, and 11, 8, and 3 papers focused on diet, activity, and sleep, respectively. Health-promoting behaviors were associated with markers of disease burden in POMS. Physical activity participation was associated with reduced relapse rate, disease burden, and sleep/rest fatigue symptoms. Nutritional factors, particularly vitamin D intake, may be associated with relapse rate. Obesity has been associated with increased risk of developing POMS. POMS is associated with better sleep hygiene, and this may benefit fatigue and quality of life.
Discussion:
Participation in health behaviors, particularly physical activity, diet, and sleep, may have benefits for POMS. Nevertheless, there are currently no interventions targeting promotion of these behaviors and examining the benefits of managing the primary and secondary manifestations of POMS.
Related Concept Videos
01:19The Behavioral Perspective on Personality
01:27Psychodynamic Perspectives on Personality
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
01:23Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
00:54What is Behavior?
01:14Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...