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Published on: January 29, 2016
No association between body composition and walking outcomes in multiple sclerosis.
1Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 933 19th Street S, Suite 301, Birmingham, AL 35223 United States; Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, 1919 W Taylor St, 650 AHSB (MC 517), Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
Excess body weight in multiple sclerosis (MS) does not appear to impact walking performance or disability. Further research should explore other factors affecting physical function in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Exercise Physiology
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Excess body weight and obesity can impair physical function, particularly walking, in individuals with chronic neurological diseases.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is associated with reduced walking performance, but the link between body composition and walking outcomes in MS is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between various body composition metrics and a range of walking outcomes in individuals with MS.
- To determine if body composition influences walking performance and perceived walking impairment in MS patients across a spectrum of body mass index.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-four ambulatory participants with MS were assessed for neurological disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
- Body composition was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, including percent body fat, fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content/density.
- Walking outcomes were evaluated using the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-Minute Walk (6MW), and the 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12).
Main Results:
- No significant correlations were found between body composition metrics and T25FW, TUG, 6MW, or MSWS-12.
- Body composition metrics did not correlate with disability status as measured by EDSS.
- These associations remained non-significant even after controlling for EDSS, indicating body composition does not significantly influence walking outcomes in MS.
Conclusions:
- Worse body composition profiles in individuals with MS are not necessarily linked to poorer walking performance, increased perceived walking impairment, or greater disability.
- Optimization of body composition may not be a primary target for interventions aimed at improving walking outcomes in MS.
- Future research should explore alternative factors contributing to reduced physical function in MS, such as other health-related or disease outcomes associated with overweight or obesity.
