Self-efficacy and Functional Disability as Barriers to Physical Activity Participation in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis (P4.023)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between self-efficacy, functional disability and physical activity (PA) participation in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND: 40-70[percnt] of North American children with MS experience depression or fatigue. PA has been correlated with less fatigue and depression in adult MS. Recently, we found children with MS participated in less strenuous PA than their peers; however, barriers to PA participation are unknown. DESIGN/METHODS: 55 patients aged 8-18 were recruited from the Hospital for Sick Children (20 MS, 35 monophasic demyelination (DM)), as well as 12 healthy controls (CTL). Subjects completed a standard battery of questionnaires, including: PedsQL-MSF, CES-DC, PA Self-Efficacy Scale (PASES), and the Functional Disability Inventory. The subjects were then given an accelerometer to wear for 7 days and two additional questionnaires (the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire) regarding their PA participation. RESULTS: The MS group reported lower PA self-efficacy than DM (p=0.02) and CTL (p=0.006) and greater functional disability than CTL (p=0.02). No significant differences were found on the self-report measures of PA. The MS group performed less vigorous PA than DM (p=0.04) as measured by the accelerometer. Within the MS group, PA self-efficacy correlated with functional disability (r=0.56, p=0.006), walking PA (IPAQ; r=0.62, p=0.002), and light PA (accelerometer; r=0.61, p=0.005). Functional disability correlated with walking PA (IPAQ; r=0.66, p<0.001) and sedentary time (accelerometer; r=0.71, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Children with MS report lower physical activity self-efficacy, higher perceived functional disability, and perform less vigorous PA than their peers. In addition, self-efficacy and functional disability correlate with both self-report and objective measures of physical activity levels in MS. Interventions aimed at strengthening self-efficacy and perceived functional ability may lead to improved levels of physical activity in this population. Study Supported by: National MS Society (Grant#: PP2256), Manitoba-Ontario endMS Summer Studentship Award. Disclosure: Dr. Sawicki has nothing to disclose. Dr. Grover has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kinnett-Hopkins has nothing to disclose. Dr. Motl has nothing to disclose. Dr. Finlayson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schneiderman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yeh has nothing to disclose.