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Note the high EDSS of participants in this study. This study looked at what happens when significantly disabled MSers exercise, and there are indeed benefits. - D
Exercise Training in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparison of Recumbent Stepping and Body Weight–Supported Treadmill Training
Lara A. Pilutti, PhD; John E. Paulseth, MD; Carin Dove, MD; Shucui Jiang, MD, PhD; Michel P. Rathbone, MD, PhD; Audrey L. Hicks, PhD
From the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA (LAP); and the Department of Medicine (JEP, CD, MPR), Department of Surgery (SJ), and Department of Kinesiology (ALH), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Background: There is evidence for the benefits of exercise training in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, few studies have been conducted with individuals with progressive MS with severe mobility impairment. A potential exercise rehabilitation approach is total body recumbent stepper training (TBRST). We 1) evaluated the safety and participant-reported experience of TBRST in people with progressive MS, and 2) compared the efficacy of TBRST to body weight–supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on outcomes of function, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Methods: Twelve participants with progressive MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] = 6.0–8.0) were randomized to TBRST or BWSTT. Participants completed 3 weekly sessions (30 min) of exercise training for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included safety assessed as adverse events, and patient-reported exercise experience assessed as post-exercise response and evaluation of exercise equipment. Secondary outcomes included the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and the 54-item Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL-54) questionnaire. Assessments were conducted at baseline and following 12 weeks.
Results: Safety was confirmed in both exercise groups. Participants reported enjoying both exercise modalities; however, TBRST was reviewed more favorably. Both interventions reduced fatigue and improved HRQOL (P ≤ .05); there were no changes in function.
Conclusions: TBRST and BWSTT appear to be safe, well tolerated, and enjoyable for participants with progressive MS with severe disability. Both interventions may also be efficacious for reducing fatigue and improving HRQOL. TBRST should be further explored as an exercise rehabilitation tool for progressive MS patients.
Exercise Training in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparison of Recumbent Stepping and Body Weight–Supported Treadmill Training
Lara A. Pilutti, PhD; John E. Paulseth, MD; Carin Dove, MD; Shucui Jiang, MD, PhD; Michel P. Rathbone, MD, PhD; Audrey L. Hicks, PhD
From the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA (LAP); and the Department of Medicine (JEP, CD, MPR), Department of Surgery (SJ), and Department of Kinesiology (ALH), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Background: There is evidence for the benefits of exercise training in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, few studies have been conducted with individuals with progressive MS with severe mobility impairment. A potential exercise rehabilitation approach is total body recumbent stepper training (TBRST). We 1) evaluated the safety and participant-reported experience of TBRST in people with progressive MS, and 2) compared the efficacy of TBRST to body weight–supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on outcomes of function, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Methods: Twelve participants with progressive MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] = 6.0–8.0) were randomized to TBRST or BWSTT. Participants completed 3 weekly sessions (30 min) of exercise training for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included safety assessed as adverse events, and patient-reported exercise experience assessed as post-exercise response and evaluation of exercise equipment. Secondary outcomes included the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and the 54-item Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL-54) questionnaire. Assessments were conducted at baseline and following 12 weeks.
Results: Safety was confirmed in both exercise groups. Participants reported enjoying both exercise modalities; however, TBRST was reviewed more favorably. Both interventions reduced fatigue and improved HRQOL (P ≤ .05); there were no changes in function.
Conclusions: TBRST and BWSTT appear to be safe, well tolerated, and enjoyable for participants with progressive MS with severe disability. Both interventions may also be efficacious for reducing fatigue and improving HRQOL. TBRST should be further explored as an exercise rehabilitation tool for progressive MS patients.