Abstract
Walking is the preferred type of physical activity among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), and falls are a fairly common event in this population.
PURPOSE: This study compared free-living walking behavior [i.e., activity curtailment] in persons with MS as a function of fall risk.
METHODS: Forty-seven persons with MS participated in the study and were allocated into either the increased fall risk (IRG; n = 21; 55.5 ± 9.0 years) or normal fall risk (NRG; n = 26; 51.2 ± 12.9 years) group based on scores from the Activities-Balance Confidence Scale. Free-living walking behavior was objectively measured by ActiGraph model GT3X accelerometers and expressed as average steps/day over a 7 consecutive day period. The data were retrieved from the accelerometer and then imported into ActiLife 5 software for validity check and processing of average steps/day. We used descriptive statistic and Mann-Whitney U test to compare steps/day between the groups adopting p<0.05. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 (SPSS Inc.; Chicago, IL).
RESULTS: Both groups presented with moderate disability level measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale. The average steps/day of the NRG was significant higher compared with the IRG (6156 ± 2485 steps vs. 2638 ±1688 steps; p < .001), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that persons with MS who have increased fall risk accumulate fewer steps/day [i.e., increased activity curtailment] compared with those at normal fall risk. However, regardless of fall risk, persons with MS are far from the recommended 10,000 steps/day. This underscores the need for interventions that improve walking behavior in this population, particularly those with increased fall risk.