title: Association between change in physical activity and short-term disability progression in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined change in physical activity as a behavioral correlate of short-term disability progression in persons with multiple sclerosis over a 6-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Panel design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included 292 persons with multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days as a measure of physical activity and then provided demographics and clinical information and completed the Patient Determined Disease Steps scale as a measure of disability. After a 6-month period, participants provided information about the occurrence of a relapse in the previous 6 months and again wore an accelerometer for 7 days and completed the Patient Determined Disease Steps scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Panel analysis indicated associations between baseline physical activity and disability (path coefficient= -0.41, p<0.001) and 6-month change in physical activity and disability progression (path coefficient= -0.09, p=0.025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Such findings provide preliminary support for a reduction in physical activity as a behavioral correlate, but not necessarily cause, of short-term disability progression in persons with multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, 350 Freer Hall, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. robmotl@uiuc.edu
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Motl
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McAuley
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult