title: Physical activity is associated with cognitive processing speed in persons with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The impairment of cognitive processing speed is common, disabling, and poorly managed in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study examined the association between objectively-measured physical activity and cognitive processing speed (CPS) in a large sample of persons with MS. Patients (N=212) underwent two valid neuropsychological tests of CPS, completed the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), and wore an ActiGraph model GT3X accelerometer during the waking hours of a 7-day period for objectively measuring physical activity as steps/day. Physical activity was significantly associated with CPS (r=.39, p<.01), even when controlling for age, sex, and education (pr=.26, p<.01). This association was attenuated, but still significant after further controlling for T25FW performance (pr=.13, p=.03). Physical activity behavior is positively and independently, albeit weakly, associated with CPS in persons with MS, and may play an important role in managing this aspect of cognition as it does in other outcomes in MS.
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 233 Freer Hall, 906 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana 61801, IL, United States.
authors: Brian M
authors: BM
authors: Sandroff
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 233 Freer Hall, 906 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana 61801, IL, United States.
authors: Deirdre
authors: D
authors: Dlugonski
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 233 Freer Hall, 906 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana 61801, IL, United States.
authors: Lara A
authors: LA
authors: Pilutti
authors: Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, United States; Illinois Neurologic Institute, United States.
authors: John H
authors: JH
authors: Pula
authors: Department of Neurology, SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine, United States.
authors: Ralph H B
authors: RH
authors: Benedict
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 233 Freer Hall, 906 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana 61801, IL, United States. Electronic address: robmotl@illinois.edu.
authors: Robert W
authors: RW
authors: Motl
keywords: Accelerometer; Cognition; Cognitive processing speed; Multiple sclerosis; Physical activity; Walking performance