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Rest-Activity Rhythm, Pain, and Motor Activity in Multiple Sclerosis
Rogier J Scherder1, M J van Dorp2, A J Prins3
1From the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Free University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (RJS, CvK, IC).
International Journal of MS Care
|July 20, 2023
Summary
In multiple sclerosis (MS), sleep disturbances are linked to pain, mood disorders, and physical disability. Interdaily stability of rest-activity patterns is particularly affected by these MS symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Established links exist between multiple sclerosis (MS), physical disability, mood disorders, and pain.
- However, the association between these MS-related symptoms and sleep disturbances remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sleep disturbances and symptoms of pain, mood disorders, and physical disability in patients with MS.
- To identify specific sleep parameters most affected by these MS-related symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized actigraphy to indirectly measure sleep via rest-activity rhythm in 46 MS patients experiencing pain.
- Assessed sleep parameters including interdaily stability, intradaily variability, and relative amplitude.
- Measured pain, mood (using Beck Depression Inventory and Symptom Checklist-90), and physical disability (using Expanded Disability Status Scale).
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between mood, pain, physical disability, and interdaily stability of the rest-activity rhythm.
- Mood disturbances, pain, and physical disability collectively impacted interdaily stability.
Conclusions:
- Interdaily stability is the most sensitive actigraphy measure affected by mood disturbances, pain, and physical disability in MS patients.
- These findings highlight the vulnerability of sleep regulation in MS and its connection to core disease symptoms.
