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Efficacy of high-intensity aerobic exercise on common multiple sclerosis symptoms
Martin Langeskov-Christensen,Lars Grøndahl Hvid,Henrik Boye Jensen,Helle Hvilsted Nielsen,Thor Petersen,Egon Stenager,Ulrik Dalgas,
First published: 22 October 2021
https://doi.org/10.1111/ane.13540
Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02661555.
Abstract
Objectives
Fatigue and walking impairment are disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the effects of progressive aerobic exercise (PAE) on fatigue, walking, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and quality of life in people with MS (pwMS).
Materials & Methods
Randomized controlled trial (1:1 ratio, stratified by sex) with a 24-week crossover follow-up and intention-to-treat analysis. Allocation to an exercise (24 weeks of PAE followed by self-guided physical activity) and a waitlist (24 weeks of habitual lifestyle followed by PAE) group. PAE comprised two supervised sessions per week; 30–60 min, 65–95% of maximum heart rate. Fatigue impact (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale; MFIS) and severity (Fatigue Severity Scale; FSS), walking ability (12-item MS Walking Scale; MSWS-12) and capacity (Six-Minute Walk Test; 6MWT, Six Spot Step Test; SSST), quality of life (Short Form 36 health survey; SF-36), and VO2max were measured at baseline, 24 weeks, and 48 weeks.
Results
Eighty-six pwMS were enrolled. Following PAE between-group differences showed reductions in MFIStotal (−5.3 [95% CI: −10.9;0.4], point estimate >clinical relevance), MFISphysical subscore (−2.8 [−5.6;-0.1]), and MFISpsychosocial subscore (−0.9 [−1.6;-0.2]), and an increase in VO2max (+3.5 ml O2/min/kg [2.0;5.1]). MSWS-12 (−5.9 [−11.9; 0.2]) and 6MWT (+14 m [−5;33]) differences suggested potential small walking improvements. No changes observed in FSS, SSST, or SF-36.
Conclusions
In a representative sample of pwMS, PAE induced a clinically relevant reduction in fatigue impact, whereas small and no effects were seen for walking and quality of life, respectively. The results need confirmation in a future trial due to the study limitations.
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