Rest-Activity Rhythm, Pain, and Motor Activity in Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND
Although the relationships among physical disability, mood disorders, and pain are well described in multiple sclerosis (MS), little is known about whether those symptoms are associated with sleep disturbances.
METHODS
Forty-six patients with MS experiencing pain participated. Sleep was indirectly measured by assessing rest-activity rhythm via actigraphy: interdaily stability, intradaily variability, and relative amplitude. Pain was assessed using visual and verbal analog scales, mood by the Beck Depression Inventory and Symptom Checklist-90, and physical disability by the Expanded Disability Status Scale.
RESULTS
Incorporating mood, pain, and physical disability into 1 regression model resulted in a significant association with interdaily stability.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with intradaily variability and relative amplitude, interdaily stability seems to be the most vulnerable actigraphy variable for mood disturbances, pain, and physical disabilities.