Changes in Activity Participation After Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by cognitive and motor impairments, potentially limiting daily activity.
• Understanding changes in activity participation is crucial for managing MS.
• This study investigates activity participation shifts in adults with MS compared to controls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare past and current activity participation levels in adults with MS and healthy controls.
• To examine the relationship between retained activity participation and clinical factors in MS.
• To identify factors influencing activity participation changes following MS diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• The study included 27 individuals with MS and 21 controls.
• Participants completed cognitive and motor assessments.
• Activity participation, functional status, and depression symptoms were evaluated using standardized measures, including the Activity Card Sort.

Main Results:

• Individuals with MS reported significantly lower current activity participation than controls.
• Retained activity participation in the MS group correlated with disease duration, executive function, motor skills, depression, and functional status.
• These findings highlight the impact of MS on various life domains.

Conclusions:

• Multiple sclerosis diagnosis leads to significant negative changes in life activity participation.
• These participation changes are directly associated with MS-related symptoms.
• The Activity Card Sort offers a valuable quantitative measure for developing individualized treatment plans for MS patients.