Exploring the Major Barriers to Physical Activity in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Observational Longitudinal...

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Disability Studies
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is crucial for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms and disease progression.
• Individuals with MS exhibit lower PA levels compared to the general population, highlighting a need to understand contributing factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate barriers to PA engagement in individuals with MS.
• To assess the validity of the Barriers to Health Promoting Activities for Disabled Persons (BHADP) scale in this population.
• To correlate BHADP scores with self-reported outcomes and sensor-measured PA.

Main Methods:

• 45 participants with MS wore activity trackers (Fitbit Inspire HR) for 6-8 weeks.
• PA levels were measured using step counts and moderate-to-vigorous PA minutes.
• Barriers were assessed using the BHADP scale, and associations with fatigue, depression, self-efficacy, and quality of life were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Lower PA levels were associated with higher BHADP scores for barriers like 'Feeling what I do doesn't help' and 'Lack of support'.
• BHADP scores positively correlated with fatigue and depression, and negatively with self-efficacy and quality of life.
• A significant inverse relationship was observed between BHADP scores and measured PA levels.

Conclusions:

• The BHADP scale is a valid tool for assessing PA barriers in individuals with MS, reflecting common symptoms like fatigue and depression.
• Addressing specific PA barriers is essential for improving health outcomes and managing MS.
• Integrated healthcare management should jointly address PA barriers and MS symptom management.