The clinical correlates of participation levels in people with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a huge impact on patients and affects their ability to participate in meaningful activities.

To identify motor and non-motor factors that are associated with the participation level in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), leisure, social and religious activities in people with MS.

This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 110 individuals with MS. The used outcome measures are: Arabic version of the Activity Card Sort, Berg Balance Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Nine Hole Peg Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis, Stroop test and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Hand function, balance, gender and cognitive status can predict the participation in IADL (R2 = 0.425, P < 0.0001); depression, age, and cognitive status can predict the participation in leisure activities (R2 = 0.372, P < 0.0001), and fatigue, balance and cognitive status can predict social activities participation (R2 = 0.492, P < 0.000).

Balance, cognition and fatigue affect the level of participation in instrumental activities of daily living, leisure, and religious and social activities.