Self-Regulatory Strategies As Correlates of Physical Activity Behavior in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: There is a disconnect between the evidence of benefits and rates of participation in physical activity among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) that has prompted interest in identifying correlates of physical activity. Such correlates are necessary for informing the design of behavioral interventions. 

Objectives: This study examined self-regulation strategies as correlates of physical activity in persons with MS. 

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 69 persons with MS who completed the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (EXSE), Physical Activity Self-Regulation Scale (PASR-12), and Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). 

Results: ANOVA indicated that those who were categorized as insufficiently active using the GLTEQ reported lower overall self-regulation (F=8.93; p = 0.001), self-monitoring (F=8.67; p = 0.001) and relapse prevention (F=10.61; p = 0.001) scores on the PASR-12 than both moderately active and sufficiently active individuals. Correlation analyses indicated that GLTEQ scores were positively and significantly associated with overall self-regulation (r=0.314), self-monitoring (r=0.306), reinforcement (r=0.239), time management (r=0.291), and relapse prevention (r=0.420) PASR-12 scores. Regression analyses indicated that relapse prevention was an independent predictor of physical activity behavior (B = 6.381; SE B = 2.536; β = 0.492), and explained a significant amount of variance in physical activity behavior that was accounted for by EXSE. 

Conclusions: Our results indicate that self-regulatory strategies, particularly relapse prevention, may be important determinants of physical activity behavior that can inform the design of future behavioral interventions in MS. These findings should be considered when designing, refining, and optimizing behavioral interventions that target physical activity behavior change in persons with MS. Such behavioral interventions might target self-regulatory strategies, particularly relapse prevention for increasing self-efficacy, as an approach for changing physical activity participation in MS.