BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a huge impact on patients and affects their ability to participate in meaningful activities. OBJECTIVE: To identify motor and non-motor factors that are associated with the participation level in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), leisure, social and religious activities in people with MS. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 110 individuals with MS. The used outcome measures are: Arabic version of the Activity Card Sort, Berg Balance Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Nine Hole Peg Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis, Stroop test and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Hand function, balance, gender and cognitive status can predict the participation in IADL (R2 = 0.425, P < 0.0001); depression, age, and cognitive status can predict the participation in leisure activities (R2 = 0.372, P < 0.0001), and fatigue, balance and cognitive status can predict social activities participation (R2 = 0.492, P < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Balance, cognition and fatigue affect the level of participation in instrumental activities of daily living, leisure, and religious and social activities.

Background and Purpose Assessing functional status in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has a major role in determining how to help patients to reach their optimal level of living independently in the community. The Frenchay Activity Index (FAI) is a commonly used scale to evaluate functional status in rehabilitation research and practice settings. The aim of this study was to translate the FAI into the standard Arabic language through the process of cross‐cultural adaptation and to explore the internal consistency and construct validity of the produced Arabic version of FAI (A‐FAI) among a sample of Arabic‐speaking PwMS. Method The English version of the FAI was translated into Arabic according to the published guidelines. Cronbach's α was used to assess the internal consistency of the A‐FAI, and principal factor analysis was conducted to explore the construct validity. Results Hundred and six subjects participated in the study. The A‐FAI has acceptable internal consistency as Cronbach's α was 0.70. The principal factor analysis revealed that the instrument has four main factors: domestic chore, leisure, hobbies, and work, rather than the original three factors scale. Discussion The A‐FAI has acceptable internal consistency and validity. A‐FAI provides essential information about the participation level in instrumental activities of daily living activities among PwMS speaking the Arabic language.