Tweet
Epub: Pearson et al. Exercise as a therapy for improvement of walking ability in adults with multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Feb 21.
OBJECTIVE: To quantify improvements in walking performance commonly observed in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). A systematic literature search and meta-analysis was conducted quantifying the expected benefits of exercise on walking ability in pwMS.
DATA SOURCES: Potential studies were identified by systematic search using PubMed (1966 to 31st March, 2014), EMBASE (1974 to 31st March, 2014), CINAHL (1998 to 31st March, 2014), SPORTSDiscus (1991-31st March, 2014) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1966 to 31st March, 2014). The search used key concepts of "Multiple Sclerosis" AND "exercise".
STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials of exercise training in adult patients with MS.
DATA EXTRACTION: Data on patient and study characteristics; walking ability; 10metre walk test (10mWT); Timed 25-foot walk test (T25FW); 2 minute walk test (2MWT); 6 minute walk test (6MWT); Timed up and go (TUG) were extracted and archived.
DATA SYNTHESIS: Data from 13 studies were included. Exercise produced significant improvements in walking speed, measured by 10mWT, mean difference (MD) reduction in walking time of -1.76 seconds (95%CI -2.47 to -1.06, p<0.001), but no change in the T25FW MD = -0.59s (95%CI -2.55 to 1.36, p=0.55). Exercise produced significant improvements in walking endurance as measured by 6MWT and 2MWT, with increased walking distance of MD=36.46 metres (95%CI 15.14 to 57.79, P<0.001) and MD=12.51 metres (95%CI 4.79 to 20.23, p=0.001), respectively. No improvement was found for TUG MD = -1.05s (95% CI -2.19 to 0.09, p=0.07).
CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests exercise improves walking speed and endurance in pwMS.
OBJECTIVE: To quantify improvements in walking performance commonly observed in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). A systematic literature search and meta-analysis was conducted quantifying the expected benefits of exercise on walking ability in pwMS.
DATA SOURCES: Potential studies were identified by systematic search using PubMed (1966 to 31st March, 2014), EMBASE (1974 to 31st March, 2014), CINAHL (1998 to 31st March, 2014), SPORTSDiscus (1991-31st March, 2014) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1966 to 31st March, 2014). The search used key concepts of "Multiple Sclerosis" AND "exercise".
STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials of exercise training in adult patients with MS.
DATA EXTRACTION: Data on patient and study characteristics; walking ability; 10metre walk test (10mWT); Timed 25-foot walk test (T25FW); 2 minute walk test (2MWT); 6 minute walk test (6MWT); Timed up and go (TUG) were extracted and archived.
DATA SYNTHESIS: Data from 13 studies were included. Exercise produced significant improvements in walking speed, measured by 10mWT, mean difference (MD) reduction in walking time of -1.76 seconds (95%CI -2.47 to -1.06, p<0.001), but no change in the T25FW MD = -0.59s (95%CI -2.55 to 1.36, p=0.55). Exercise produced significant improvements in walking endurance as measured by 6MWT and 2MWT, with increased walking distance of MD=36.46 metres (95%CI 15.14 to 57.79, P<0.001) and MD=12.51 metres (95%CI 4.79 to 20.23, p=0.001), respectively. No improvement was found for TUG MD = -1.05s (95% CI -2.19 to 0.09, p=0.07).
CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests exercise improves walking speed and endurance in pwMS.