Shannon Charron1, Kyla A McKay2, Helen Tremlett3. 1. Department of Medicine (Neurology) and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 2. Department of Medicine (Neurology) and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 3. Department of Medicine (Neurology) and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Electronic address: helen.tremlett@ubc.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physical activity may be neuroprotective in multiple sclerosis (MS). One review (2011) of exercise and MS disability was inconclusive, but highlighted the need for more studies. OBJECTIVE: To perform an updated systematic literature review examining the relationship between physical activity and physical ability outcomes in persons with MS. METHODS: EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for original interventional studies (2011-2016) evaluating exercise on quantitative outcomes of physical disability in MS. We also assessed any reported adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 153 articles identified, 12 were included; 3 examined endurance training; 6 resistance training; and 3 explored less conventional exercises, specifically, tai chi, kickboxing, and vestibular rehabilitation, each lasting 5-24 weeks. In total, 568 unique individuals were included, and >10 different scales used to assess outcomes. Endurance training provided benefits in walking ability, while mindfulness exercises (tai chi and vestibular rehabilitation), and dynamic workouts (kickboxing) led to improvements in balance and coordination. Resistance training alone did not improve walking ability, but improved lower limb muscular strength and endurance. When resistance and endurance training were combined, improvements were seen in mobility, balance and coordination. Four studies assessed discontinuation; most reported a return to pre-intervention function. Adverse outcomes were reported in 6 studies, and appeared generally mild, ranging from mild muscle soreness to exacerbation of MS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity was associated with measurable benefits on ability outcomes, but continuation is likely required to maintain benefits. While adverse events were generally mild, approximately half of studies actually reported safety outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Physical activity may be neuroprotective in multiple sclerosis (MS). One review (2011) of exercise and MS disability was inconclusive, but highlighted the need for more studies. OBJECTIVE: To perform an updated systematic literature review examining the relationship between physical activity and physical ability outcomes in persons with MS. METHODS: EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for original interventional studies (2011-2016) evaluating exercise on quantitative outcomes of physical disability in MS. We also assessed any reported adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 153 articles identified, 12 were included; 3 examined endurance training; 6 resistance training; and 3 explored less conventional exercises, specifically, tai chi, kickboxing, and vestibular rehabilitation, each lasting 5-24 weeks. In total, 568 unique individuals were included, and >10 different scales used to assess outcomes. Endurance training provided benefits in walking ability, while mindfulness exercises (tai chi and vestibular rehabilitation), and dynamic workouts (kickboxing) led to improvements in balance and coordination. Resistance training alone did not improve walking ability, but improved lower limb muscular strength and endurance. When resistance and endurance training were combined, improvements were seen in mobility, balance and coordination. Four studies assessed discontinuation; most reported a return to pre-intervention function. Adverse outcomes were reported in 6 studies, and appeared generally mild, ranging from mild muscle soreness to exacerbation of MS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity was associated with measurable benefits on ability outcomes, but continuation is likely required to maintain benefits. While adverse events were generally mild, approximately half of studies actually reported safety outcomes.
Authors: Peter Flachenecker; Anna Karoline Bures; Angeli Gawlik; Ann-Christin Weiland; Sarah Kuld; Klaus Gusowski; René Streber; Klaus Pfeifer; Alexander Tallner Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-06-24 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Rosalind Kalb; Theodore R Brown; Susan Coote; Kathleen Costello; Ulrik Dalgas; Eric Garmon; Barbara Giesser; June Halper; Herb Karpatkin; Jennifer Keller; Alexander V Ng; Lara A Pilutti; Amanda Rohrig; Paul Van Asch; Kathleen Zackowski; Robert W Motl Journal: Mult Scler Date: 2020-04-23 Impact factor: 6.312