Resilience Indirectly Affects Functional Capabilities Through Physical Activity Engagement in Individuals With...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Psychology

Background:

• The relationship between resilience and functional outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) is under investigation.
• A proposed mechanism suggests that resilient individuals with MS engage more in healthy lifestyle behaviors, leading to better functioning.
• This study explores the indirect influence of resilience on functioning in MS through lifestyle behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether resilience influences functional capabilities in individuals with MS.
• To examine if this influence is mediated by specific lifestyle behaviors.
• To understand the pathway linking resilience, lifestyle, and physical function in MS.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-four individuals with MS completed validated questionnaires for resilience (MSRS), lifestyle behaviors, and physical function (PROMIS-PF).
• Mediation models were employed to analyze the relationship between resilience (independent variable), lifestyle behaviors (mediators), and physical function (dependent variable).
• Demographic and disease-related factors were included as covariates in the analysis.

Main Results:

• Physical activity was identified as the sole lifestyle behavior significantly associated with improved physical functioning (ρ = 0.43, P < .001).
• Resilience demonstrated a significant indirect effect on physical functioning, mediated by physical activity (b = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.32).
• The direct effect of resilience on physical functioning was not statistically significant (b = -0.02, P = .860).

Conclusions:

• Resilience indirectly enhances physical functioning in individuals with MS primarily through increased engagement in physical activity.
• These findings underscore the critical role of resilience in fostering well-being and functional capacity among those with MS.
• Interventions promoting resilience may improve physical activity levels and subsequent functioning in the MS population.