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Accelerometry measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior: Associations with cognitive functioning in MS
Heena R Manglani1, Madhura Phansikar2, Elizabeth Jean Duraney2
1Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA 02114 USA; Harvard Medical School, Integrative Medicine, Boston, MA 02115 USA.
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
|September 10, 2023
Summary
Physical activity, including moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA) and steps, may improve working memory and processing speed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Reducing prolonged sedentary time is also beneficial for cognitive function in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Cognitive dysfunction is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Previous research on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and MS cognition yielded mixed results due to limited activity measures and metric collinearity.
- Novel analytic approaches are needed to assess the full spectrum of physical activity and its cognitive impact in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combination of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and clinicodemographic factors that best predict cognitive performance in MS.
- To examine a comprehensive set of accelerometry-derived activity metrics using advanced statistical methods suitable for collinear data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of baseline accelerometry and neuropsychological data from 80 participants in a randomized controlled trial.
- Application of partial least squares regression (PLSR) to model cognitive domains (working memory/processing speed, visual memory, verbal memory) using 12 activity metrics, sex, education, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
- Significance testing using linear regression models.
Main Results:
- A significant predictive component for working memory/processing speed was identified.
- Working memory/processing speed was positively associated with average kilocalories, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and steps.
- Higher scores in working memory/processing speed were linked to male sex, while negatively associated with prolonged sedentary bout duration and EDSS scores.
Conclusions:
- Increasing overall energy expenditure through walking and MVPA may enhance working memory and processing speed in individuals with MS.
- Decreasing prolonged sedentary time appears to be a key factor in positively influencing cognitive function in MS.
- These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to physical activity and sedentary behavior for managing cognitive deficits in MS.
