Journal article
Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis: Meeting the Guidelines at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Journal of neurologic physical therapy, Vol.47(2), pp.112-121
2023
PMID: 36753458
Abstract
Background and Purpose:
Regular physical activity (PA) helps to reduce the severity of physical and mental symptoms and improves quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Based on current evidence and expert opinion, the recent multiple sclerosis guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes/week of PA. This study presents the results of a survey analyzing whether and how PwMS met the guidelines before and during the pandemic.
Methods:
We developed and disseminated an international online survey between December 2020 and July 2021, investigating changes in self-reported PA type, duration, frequency, and intensity due to the COVID-19 outbreak in PwMS with differing disability levels.
Results:
Among respondents (n = 3810), 3725 were eligible. The proportion of those who conducted at least one activity decreased with increasing disability level at both time points (pre and during). Overall 60% of respondents met the guidelines before the pandemic (mild: 64.43%; moderate: 51.53%; severe: 39.34%; χ2(2) = 109.13, P < 0.01); a reduction of approximately 10% occurred during the pandemic in all disability groups (mild: 54.76%; moderate: 42.47%; severe: 29.48%; χ2(2) = 109.67, P < 0.01). Respondents with higher disability participated more in physical therapy and less in walking, cycling, and running at both time points. Most respondents reported practicing PA at a moderate intensity at both time points; frequency and duration of sessions decreased as disability level increased.
Discussion and Conclusions:
The percentage of those meeting the guidelines reduced with increasing disability level and during the pandemic. PA type and intensity varied widely across the disability categories. Interventions accounting for disability level are required to enable more PwMS to reap the benefits of PA.
Details
- Title
- Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis: Meeting the Guidelines at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Authors/Creators
- Ludovico Pedullà - Associazione Italiana Sclerosi MultiplaCarme Santoyo-Medina - Conference BoardKlara Novotna - Conference BoardLousin Moumdjian - Conference BoardTori Smedal - Conference BoardEllen Christin Arntzen - Nord UniversityMarietta L van der Linden - Conference BoardYvonne Learmonth - Murdoch UniversityAlon Kalron - Conference BoardFeray Güngör - Conference BoardUna Nedeljkovic - Conference BoardDaphne Kos - Conference BoardJohanna Jonsdottir - Conference BoardSusan Coote - Conference BoardAndrea Tacchino - Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla
- Publication Details
- Journal of neurologic physical therapy, Vol.47(2), pp.112-121
- Identifiers
- 991005586661307891
- Copyright
- © 2023 Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Allied Health; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.203 Neuromuscular Disorders
- 1.203.147 Multiple Sclerosis
- Web Of Science research areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Rehabilitation
- ESI research areas
- Neuroscience & Behavior