Abstract
Objective
To review the current evidence regarding correlates and determinants of physical activity
(PA) in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).
Data Sources
PubMed and Scopus (1980 to January 2015) and reference lists of eligible studies.
Study Selection
Eligible studies include adults with multiple sclerosis; have a cross-sectional or
prospective observational design; or examine the effect of a theory-based intervention
trial on PA, including a mediation analysis. Eligible studies also apply a quantitative
assessment of PA and correlates or proposed mediators and are published in English
or German language.
Data Extraction
Two reviewers independently evaluated the risk of bias, extracted data, and categorized
variables according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.
Data Synthesis
Consistency and the direction of associations were evaluated with a semiquantitative
approach. Fifty-six publications with data from observational studies and 2 interventional
studies provided evidence for 86 different variables. Consistent correlates of PA
were the disability level, walking limitations in particular, PA-related self-efficacy,
self-regulation constructs, employment status, and educational level. One interventional
study provided evidence for a causal relation between self-regulation and PA. However,
59 of the 86 investigated variables in observational studies are based on 1 or 2 study
findings, and most results stem from cross-sectional designs.
Conclusions
Beside the importance of the general disability level and walking limitations, the
results highlight the importance of personal factors (eg, PA-related self-efficacy,
self-regulatory constructs, sociodemographic factors). Limitations and implications
of the current review are discussed. Research that is more rigorous is needed to better
understand what affects PA in pwMS.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health), MS (multiple sclerosis), PA (physical activity), pwMS (persons with multiple sclerosis), RoB (risk of bias), RRMS (relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 02, 2016
Footnotes
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
