Regular exercise is linked to lower disability, fatigue and depression in people with multiple sclerosis, a five-year study has revealed.
Other lifestyle factors also supported better outcomes.
A higher-quality diet was independently associated with less disability, while not smoking was tied to lower depression scores.
The researchers wrote: “These insights may guide personalised and sustainable lifestyle strategies for people with MS to mitigate specific clinical outcomes.”
The analysis, conducted by researchers in Australia, included 839 adults with MS who took part in an international observational study.
Participants completed an online survey at the start, and again at 2.5 and five years.
Physical activity was assessed through a seven-day recall of walking frequency and duration, and moderate-to-vigorous activity.
Regular activity was defined as at least 30 minutes a day, three or more days a week.
At baseline, a higher-quality diet and greater physical activity were independently associated with lower disability, fatigue and depression scores.
Not smoking and higher vitamin D intake were significantly associated with lower depression scores. Meditation did not show relationships with any outcomes.
Over time, greater physical activity was significantly associated with lower fatigue and disability at both 2.5 and five years, and lower depression at 2.5 years.
At five years, not smoking was tied to less depression, while a higher-quality diet was linked to less disability.
When lifestyle factors were examined together, people who engaged in three or more healthy habits at the start reported less disability, fatigue and depression.
The biggest improvements were seen in people who maintained four of the five healthy habits.
By five years, significant benefits remained only for those maintaining four or five habits, while three showed a trend towards lower depression and disability.
The researchers noted that physical activity “was independently associated with all three clinical outcomes at 2.5-years” and “therefore ought to be encouraged.”
“Interventional studies are needed to better define and quantify these individual and cumulative effects,” the team concluded.
