Implementing physical activity vital sign as a self-reported measure of physical activity in patients with multiple sclerosis in a clinical setting

Abstract

Introduction: Routinely assessing exercise levels during clinical visits may be a starting point for clinicians to support physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and findings of routinely implementing a self-reported physical activity vital sign during clinical visits. Design: Retrospective database review. Setting: Outpatient academic MS center. Patients: All adult patients of our MS center with confirmed MS presenting for an in-person or telemedicine clinic visit with a physician or nurse practitioner. Interventions: None. Main Measure(s): A standard physical activity vital sign representing minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous exercise was collected. Percentage of persons with MS with a recorded physical activity vital sign was retrospectively evaluated along with demographic characteristics and key findings. Results: Ninety-three percent of patients with MS at our center had a physical activity vital sign recorded in at least one visit, and 86% at the most recent visit. Of 1560 patients with a recorded physical activity vital sign, 24.3% of patients were consistently active (≥150 min/week of exercise), 20.8% were consistently inactive (0 min/week), and the remaining 54.9% were inconsistently active. The physical activity vital sign was inversely associated with BMI (p