Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2022
Publisher
SAGE
Source Publication
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
Source ISSN
1545-9683
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.1177/15459683221131787
Abstract
Background
Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may confer benefits for axonal and/or neuronal integrity in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Purpose
Examine the association between device-measured MVPA with optical coherence tomography (OCT) metrics of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and total macular volume (TMV) in persons with and without MS.
Methods
Adults with MS (N = 41), along with sex-matched healthy control (HC) participants (N = 79), underwent measurements of retinal morphology via OCT and wore an accelerometer for a period of 7 days as a measure of MVPA.
Results
Persons with MS had significantly lower MVPA, RNFL thickness, and TMV compared with HCs. MVPA was correlated with RNFL (r = .38, P < .01) thickness and TMV (r = .49, P < .01). Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that addition of MVPA attenuated the Group effect on RNFL and TMV. MVPA accounted for 8% and 3% of the variance in TMV (β = .343, P < .01) and RNFL thickness (β = .217, P = .03), respectively.
Conclusion
MVPA was positively associated with axonal and neuronal integrity assessed by OCT and partially explained group differences in those metrics. These results present possible future targets for MS management by increasing MVPA.
Recommended Citation
Kim, Jeongwoon; Bollaert, Rachel E.; Cerna, Jonathan; Adamson, Brynn C.; Robbs, Connor M.; Khan, Naiman A.; and Motl, Robert W., "Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity is Related With Retinal Neuronal and Axonal Integrity in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis" (2022). Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications. 214.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/exsci_fac/214
Comments
Accepted version. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 36, No. 12 (December 2022): 810-815. DOI. © 2022 SAGE Publications. Used with permission.