For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), maintaining mobility may play an important role in everyday quality of life.

A study from the University of Eastern Finland found that better walking ability, lower disability levels and higher daily activity were associated with improved well-being among people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

The researchers suggest that simple walking assessments could provide valuable information about patients’ overall health and help healthcare professionals encourage more active lifestyles as part of MS care.

How mobility affects daily life

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological condition that can influence movement, independence and general well-being. Symptoms vary widely between individuals, and the unpredictable nature of the disease can make everyday activities more challenging.

The study by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland examined how quality of life in people with RRMS was connected to physical activity, walking performance and functional ability.

The findings showed that participants with lower disability levels and stronger walking performance generally reported a better quality of life. People who took more steps during the day also experienced higher levels of well-being, suggesting that regular movement may have a positive relationship with how patients perceive their daily lives.

Measuring activity and physical function

To investigate these connections, researchers used several different methods to assess participants’ health and activity levels.

Daily physical activity was measured objectively with an accelerometer, a device that records movement throughout the day. Quality of life was evaluated using two established questionnaires: the 15D health-related quality of life instrument and RAND-36, which measures different aspects of physical and mental well-being.

The researchers also assessed disability using two clinical scales, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC). In addition, participants completed physical performance tests, including the six-minute walk test, which evaluates walking endurance.

This combination of measurements allowed researchers to compare not only medical indicators of MS but also how the condition affects patients’ everyday experiences.

Walking ability linked to better well-being

The study found that people with RRMS reported significantly lower quality of life compared with healthy participants. Higher levels of disability were strongly associated with poorer well-being.

At the same time, better walking performance and a greater number of daily steps were linked to improved quality of life. However, researchers did not find a connection between the intensity of physical activity and overall well-being.

This means that simply engaging in more intense exercise was not necessarily related to feeling better. Instead, regular movement and maintaining the ability to walk and stay active throughout the day appeared to be more important factors.

Supporting an active lifestyle in MS care

The results add to previous research showing that physical activity can be an important part of managing life with multiple sclerosis. While exercise cannot change the course of the disease itself, maintaining functional ability may help patients remain more independent and improve their daily experiences.

The researchers believe the findings may help healthcare professionals encourage people with MS to increase their everyday activity levels in realistic and achievable ways. Simple walking tests could also become a useful tool for understanding patients’ functional health and identifying opportunities to support better quality of life.