Pharmacopsychiatry 2017; 50(05): 213-227
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1606437
Abstracts
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Longitudinal changes in mental toughness, sleep disturbances, and physical activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)

D Sadeghi Bahmani
1   Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel, Zentrum für Affektive-, Stress- und Schlafstörungen, Basel, Schweiz
,
L Esmaeili
2   Esfahan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Psychiatry, Esfahan, Iran
,
V Shaygan Nejad
2   Esfahan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Psychiatry, Esfahan, Iran
,
M Gerber
3   Universität Basel, Department für Sport, Bewegung und Gesundheit, Basel, Schweiz
,
U Pühse
3   Universität Basel, Department für Sport, Bewegung und Gesundheit, Basel, Schweiz
,
E Holsboer-Trachsler
1   Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel, Zentrum für Affektive-, Stress- und Schlafstörungen, Basel, Schweiz
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 September 2017 (online)

Also available at
 

Background:

Whereas there is extant research on fatigue, depression, and cognitive impairment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) during the clinical course, no research focused on the long term changes of psychological functioning, sleep problems, and physical activity on these patients. The aims of the present study were therefore to examine changes in physical activity, sleep disturbances, and mental toughness over a 1.5-year period of time in people with multiple sclerosis after the onset their MS.

Methods:

18 patients with diagnosed MS (mean age: M = 33.61 years) took part in this study. They completed a booklet of questionnaires covering socio-demographic data, mental toughness, sleep disturbances, and physical activity, at the onset of disease and 1.5 years later.

Results:

1.5 years after the onset of MS, patients had lower levels of vigorous physical activity, but not statistically significant change in moderate physical activity. Patients with sleep disturbances at the onset of disease had statistically significant sleep disturbances also 1.5 years later. Medication and EDSS scores did not change over time.

Conclusions:

Compared to the onset of disease, 1.5 years later, patients with MS reported similar mental toughness traits, sleep disturbances and levels of moderate physical activity. The pattern of results suggests that the onset of MS is not an obstacle for doing moderate physical activity. Further sleep disturbances remains stable by time.