Disease Progression in Multiple Sclerosis I. Impaired Mobility and Its Impact on Limitations of Activities and Social Participation

Limitations in activities of daily living are important to an individual's life, and the progressive nature of multiple sclerosis (MS) can have a significant impact on the patient's quality of life (QoL). Monitoring low-level limitations of activities during the early stages of MS should be encouraged, as it can indicate advancing neurological damage. Clinical data and survey evidence from numerous research groups suggest that impaired mobility is a large contributory factor to diminished QoL. Although these studies have demonstrated the negative effect of reduced mobility, there remains a substantial need for greater recognition of the presence and effects of disabilities, including reduced mobility, fatigue, pain, depression and spasticity, and the need for targeted treatments for specific impairments. In this review, literature describing the impact on the lives of patient is presented; because of the variability in speed of progression and prognosis with early mobility loss, the need for early, continuous and consistent assessment is suggested.