Comparing self-report and objective physical activity in fatigue outcomes for persons with MS and high-BMI

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with significant fatigue, reduced quality of life, and lower levels of physical activity. These challenges may be further compounded in people with multiple sclerosis who are also overweight or obese. Although both self-reported and objectively measured physical activity are commonly used in multiple sclerosis research, few studies have compared these approaches in individuals with elevated body mass index and examined their relationships with fatigue and fatigability. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between subjective and objective physical activity measures and fatigue outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis and obesity.This study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of baseline data from the Modifying Diet and Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis randomized controlled trial. Participants included 77 adults with multiple sclerosis and overweight or obesity. Self-reported physical activity was assessed using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, while objective physical activity was measured using accelerometers that quantified moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Chronic fatigue was measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, and fatigability was assessed using changes in fatigue ratings before and after a 6-Minute Walk Test. Pearson correlations and linear regression analyses were conducted using SAS OnDemand for Academics. Results demonstrated a significant positive association between Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire scores and objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, while associations with light physical activity and sedentary behavior were not significant. Higher levels of both subjective and objective physical activity were associated with lower chronic fatigue scores. Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire scores were also significantly associated with lower fatigability, whereas objectively measured physical activity showed weaker and non-significant associations with fatigability. In combined regression models, no physical activity measure independently predicted fatigue outcomes, suggesting that activity measures share variance and that fatigue is multifactorial. These findings suggest that self-reported physical activity may provide clinically meaningful insight into higher-intensity activity and fatigue experiences among people with multiple sclerosis and obesity, though limitations in these models can be addressed in future research.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Bioinformatics (UMKC)

Grantor

University of Missouri--Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Tucker, Liyah Danielle

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Simon, Stephen D.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10355/112346

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/112346