Physical exercise and psychological health in women with Multiple Sclerosis: the moderating effect of the disability level

Journal title PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE
Author/s Mattia Roppolo, Anna Mulasso, Massimiliano Gollin, Antonio Bertolotto, Emanuela Rabaglietti
Publishing Year 2015 Issue 2015/3
Language Italian Pages 19 P. 5-23 File size 206 KB
DOI 10.3280/PDS2015-003001
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This study aims to investigate the effects of a physical exercise programme on psychological health status of subjects with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), analysing the direct effects of physical exercise on quality of life (QoL) and depression, and the moderating effects of the disability level in the relationship between physical training and psychological variables. Thirty-one women affected by relapsing-remitting MS, with a mean age of 40 years (SD = 5; min = 22; max = 50) and a level of disability measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 2.0, were involved in the study. The study’s participants were assigned, according to pairing techniques, to an experimental (EG), or a control group (CG), homogeneous at the baseline for interesting variables. The EG attended a physical training programme for 12 weeks, twice a week, based on aerobic and strength exercise; while, the CG maintained the normal routine. The physical training showed positive effects on depression (p < .001) and QoL (p < .001). The disability level resulted as the moderator of relationship between the participation to physical exercise and the psychological variables.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, physical exercise, quality of life, depression, moderation

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Mattia Roppolo, Anna Mulasso, Massimiliano Gollin, Antonio Bertolotto, Emanuela Rabaglietti, Esercizio fisico e salute psicologica in donne affette da Sclerosi Multipla: l’effetto di moderazione del livello di disabilità in "PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE" 3/2015, pp 5-23, DOI: 10.3280/PDS2015-003001