The Interplay Between Cognitive Function and Physical, Functional, and Psychological Factors in Multiple Sclerosis

Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving central nervous system inflammation and myelin damage, often leading to cognitive deficits, especially in information processing speed. This study aimed to examine the relationship between cognitive function and functional performance, fatigue, kinesiophobia, and physical activity level in individuals with MS.Material and Methods: A total of 40 individuals with MS and 40 healthy participants were recruited for the study. Cognitive performance was evaluated through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Trail Making Test parts A and B (TMT A-B). Functional performance was assessed using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (30-sSTST), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Fatigue, kinesiophobia, and physical activity level were evaluated using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TSK), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), respectively.Results: Significant differences were found between MS and control groups in cognitive scores (MoCA, TMT A-B), functional performance (6MWT, 30-s STST, TUG), fatigue, kinesiophobia, and physical activity levels (p