Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
4-1-2023
Journal
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study examined individual and co-occurring behavioral risk factors (diet, exercise, and stress) in wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis (MS) and potential association with MS symptoms (ie, fatigue, depression, anxiety, pain, sleep, and health-related quality of life [HRQOL]).
DESIGN: Survey.
SETTING: General Community.
PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty-three wheelchair users with MS completed this study (N=123).
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were mailed instructions for accessing online questionnaires (demographic and clinical characteristics, Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool, and MS symptoms).
RESULTS: Standard cut-points were used to categorize behavioral risk factors and then identify the extent and distribution of these behaviors both individually and co-occurring. We then analyzed the associations between behavioral risk factors and MS symptoms using bivariate correlation analyses and Mann-Whitney U tests. The mean age of participants was 60.6±10.0 years, 76% identified as women, 82% had a progressive disease course, and the mean MS duration was 23.0±9.7 years. Seven participants were classified as having 0 negative health behaviors, 41 participants had 1 negative health behavior, 49 participants had 2 negative health behaviors, and 26 participants had 3 negative health behaviors. The number of negative health behaviors was significantly correlated with HRQOL (physical, r=.30; psychological, r=.47), sleep (r=.25), depressive symptoms (r=.36), and anxiety (r=.43). Mann-Whitney U tests indicated greater fatigue, depression, and anxiety as well as lower sleep quality and HRQOL among participants who reported 2 or 3 behavioral risk factors compared with 0 or 1 behavioral risk factor.
CONCLUSIONS: Future research should examine the design and implementation of multiple health behavior change interventions targeting co-occurring behavioral risk factors among wheelchair users with MS.
Keywords
Humans, Female, Middle Aged, Aged, Quality of Life, Multiple Sclerosis, Exercise, Risk Factors, Diet, Fatigue, Wheelchairs
DOI
10.1016/j.apmr.2022.12.194
PMID
36649911
PMCID
PMC10073284
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
April 2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Included in
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Nutrition Commons, Primary Care Commons, Public Health Commons