Self-Efficacy and Walking Performance Across the Lifespan Among Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Aim: We examined associations between self-efficacy and walking mobility across the lifespan in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: This study included 39 young, 44 middle-aged and 41 older adults with MS who completed the Six-Minute Walk (6MW), Timed 25-foot Walk (T25FW), MS Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12) and MS Self-efficacy Scale. Results: Self-efficacy for function explained 45 and 48% of variance in MSWS-12 scores for young and older adults with MS, respectively; 13, 29 and 23% of variance in T25FW for young, middle-aged and older adults, respectively; and 28, 31 and 28% of variance in 6MW for young, middle-aged and older adults with MS, respectively. Conclusion: This study highlights self-efficacy as a target of in-walking mobility interventions across the lifespan in MS.

Keywords:

• aging
• mobility
• multiple sclerosis
• self-efficacy
• walking

Author contributions

E Morghen Sikes, KL Cederberg, JF Baird, BM Sandroff and RW Motl substantial contribution to acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; drafted the work and revised it critically for important intellectual content; provided final approval of version; agreed to be accountable for all aspects of work.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This project was supported by a grant from the National MS Society (CA-1708-29059). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

Appropriate institutional review board approval has been obtained and is described within the article. Informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved and an explanation of how this was obtained is included in the manuscript.