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Physical activity, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis: analysis of associations between individual-level changes over one year

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Abstract

Background

Physical activity and self-efficacy represent behavioral and psychological factors, respectively, that are compromised in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), but might be modifiable through intervention and result in better health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Purpose

The present study adopted a panel research design and examined the associations between individual-level changes in physical activity, self-efficacy, and HRQOL over a one-year period in persons with MS.

Method

The sample consisted of 269 persons with relapsing–remitting MS who completed the Godin Leisure-Time Questionnaire (GLTEQ), Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy (MSSE) Scale, and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life—29 (MSIS-29) Scale on two occasions that were separated by 1 year. The data were analyzed using panel analysis in Mplus 3.0.

Results

The initial panel analysis indicated that individual-level change in physical activity was associated with individual-level change in both physical and psychological HRQOL. The subsequent panel analysis indicated that (a) individual-level change in self-efficacy for functioning with MS was associated with individual-level change in physical HRQOL, whereas individual-level change in self-efficacy for control was associated with individual-level change in psychological HRQOL; (b) individual-level change in self-efficacy for functioning with MS, but not self-efficacy for control, mediated the association between individual-level change in physical activity and physical HRQOL; and (c) individual-level change in self-efficacy for controlling MS was the strongest predictor of individual-level change in HRQOL.

Conclusion

Physical activity and self-efficacy both might be important targets of subsequent behavioral and self-management interventions for improving the HRQOL of persons with MS, although self-efficacy is seemingly more important than physical activity.

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Acknowledgment

This investigation was supported by a grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (RG 3926A2/1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, 233 Freer Hall, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Robert W. Motl, Edward McAuley, Brian Sandroff & Yoojin Suh

  2. Consultants in Neurology MS Center, Northbrook, IL, USA

    Daniel Wynn

Authors
  1. Robert W. Motl
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  2. Edward McAuley
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  3. Daniel Wynn
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  4. Brian Sandroff
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  5. Yoojin Suh
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Correspondence to Robert W. Motl.

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Motl, R.W., McAuley, E., Wynn, D. et al. Physical activity, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis: analysis of associations between individual-level changes over one year. Qual Life Res 22, 253–261 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-012-0149-z

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