Sensorimotor function does not predict quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Quality of life (QOL) has been reported to be reduced in persons with multiple sclerosis. Further, associations between QOL and the clinical severity of the disease as well as sensorimotor function were shown. We reinvestigated impacting factors on QOL by the additional assessment of depression, fatigue, satisfaction with life, and a battery of end-effector based assessments of sensorimotor functioning. Models of multiple linear regression revealed everyday life activity limitations to be the driving factor within the used questionnaire and no association with sensorimotor tests, but depression, fatigue, and satisfaction with life. We conclude that either psycho-emotional coping and adaptability are the dominant determinant of QOL or that QOL is in need of a quantitative and objective reconceptualization.

The Association Between Actigraphy-Derived Behavioral Clusters and Self-Reported Fatigue in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Cross-sectional Study

“…Further, none of the nonactigraphic parameters were associated with the reported levels of fatigue. As shown in other publications on the topic [19,20], the outcomes concerning the associations of self-reported fatigue and demographic and clinical characteristics can strongly depend on the statistical approach used, underscoring the need to employ objective assessments like, in our case, actigraphy to overcome the limited reliability of self-reports [4,13].…”

“…Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently show low levels of physical activity and increased levels of sedentary behavior [1,2] and report high levels of fatigue and fatigability [3][4][5][6]. Although fatigue is often used as an umbrella term for being exhausted in a resting state (fatigue) and easily entering a state of exhaustion (fatigability), fatigue and fatigability represent 2 different dimensions [7].…”

“…This is important since they therefore need to be assessed as 2 distinct dimensions to evaluate the progression of the disease or the effects of interventions (eg, medication or physical therapy). It has been shown that reported levels of fatigue are associated with reduced quality of life [4]. However, studies have revealed very little to no meaningful association between objectively assessed function (capacity) or behavior and self-reported dimensions like quality of life, fatigue, or depression [4,8].…”

“…It has been shown that reported levels of fatigue are associated with reduced quality of life [4]. However, studies have revealed very little to no meaningful association between objectively assessed function (capacity) or behavior and self-reported dimensions like quality of life, fatigue, or depression [4,8]. Such a missing association could indicate either insufficient validity of self-reports or objective assessments or, alternatively, low sensitivity of self-reports or current approaches to objectively assess such psychological constructs.…”

“…Such a missing association could indicate either insufficient validity of self-reports or objective assessments or, alternatively, low sensitivity of self-reports or current approaches to objectively assess such psychological constructs. Especially when considering fatigue and fatigability (since they are commonly assessed or recognized by their consequence, which is a lack of activity), actigraphy could be a feasible measure to continuously gather objective data [9] and circumvent "assessing a snapshot of the person's feelings and current interpretation of subjective experience" [4]. When anticipating a certain intraindividual and interindividual variance of self-reports, as there can be a plethora of biases [10][11][12], cluster analyses of actigraphic data would have the potential to identify behavioral patterns and validate self-reports by treating a cluster of persons as one type of person.…”