Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with processing speed, but not learning and memory, in cognitively impaired persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Physical activity (PA), measured as steps/day, correlates with cognition in persons with MS.

Objectives: The current study extended previous research by examining the association between device-measured PA and cognitive outcomes based on neuropsychological testing among persons with MS who were pre-screened for cognitive impairment.

Methods: The sample included 60 persons with MS who underwent cognitive performance tests (SDMT, CVLT-II, and BVMT-R) and wore an accelerometer on an elastic waist band during the waking hours of a 7-day period for measuring PA across the activity spectrum (sedentary behavior, light PA [LPA], and moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA]. The data were analyzed with bivariate and partial Spearman rank-order correlations in using SPSS.

Results: MVPA had statistically significant correlations with SDMT, CVLT-II, and BVMT-R. LPA had a statistically significant correlation with SDMT, but not CVLT-II or BVMT-R. Sedentary behavior did not demonstrate statistically significant correlations with any cognitive outcomes. MVPA had statistically significant correlations with SDMT, after controlling for age, sex, education, and disability status. All other correlations were not statistically significant after controlling for covariates.

Conclusion: This initial cross-sectional data supports the design of PA interventions that target ambulatory PA as a form of MVPA for managing MS-related CPS impairment in MS.