Alon Kalron1, Ibtisam Mahameed2, Israela Weiss3, Dror Rosengarten3,4, Gingy Ronen Balmor3, Moshe Heching3,4, Mordechai Reuven Kramer3,4. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. alonkalr@post.tau.ac.il. 2. Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. 3. Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel. 4. Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of a combined aerobic, strength, and flexibility training program with flexibility alone on disease-specific and health-related symptoms in ambulatory amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS:Thirty-two ambulatory patients with ALS were equally randomized into a combined aerobic-strength intervention group or a stretching control group. The intervention period for both groups was identical, 12 consecutive weeks, two sessions per week. The combined intervention program consisted of aerobic training by recumbent cycling, flexibility achieved by stretching and passive exercises, and strength training via functional exercises. Patients in the control group performed basic stretching exercises of the upper and lower limb at home. Outcome measures included the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), respiratory function, mobility, fatigue, and quality of life and were collected 1-week prior to the intervention, after 6-weeks of training, and at the completion of the intervention. RESULTS:Twenty-eight participants (17 males, 11 females); mean age (S.D.) = 58.5 (13.2) years; mean disease duration (S.D.) = 7.3 (12.0) years, completed the study. According to the group X time analysis, significant differences were found in respiratory function, mobility, and the ALSFRS-R in favor of the aerobic-strength group. These patients maintained their abilities, whereas, a significant decrease was observed in the flexibility training group. Scores of the SF-36 categories "physical functioning", "energy fatigue" and "wellbeing" were higher following the intervention in the aerobic-strength group compared with the stretching control group. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week combined aerobic and strength training program is far superior to flexibility alone in improving respiratory function, mobility, and wellbeing in ambulatory ALS patients.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of a combined aerobic, strength, and flexibility training program with flexibility alone on disease-specific and health-related symptoms in ambulatory amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS: Thirty-two ambulatory patients with ALS were equally randomized into a combined aerobic-strength intervention group or a stretching control group. The intervention period for both groups was identical, 12 consecutive weeks, two sessions per week. The combined intervention program consisted of aerobic training by recumbent cycling, flexibility achieved by stretching and passive exercises, and strength training via functional exercises. Patients in the control group performed basic stretching exercises of the upper and lower limb at home. Outcome measures included the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), respiratory function, mobility, fatigue, and quality of life and were collected 1-week prior to the intervention, after 6-weeks of training, and at the completion of the intervention. RESULTS: Twenty-eight participants (17 males, 11 females); mean age (S.D.) = 58.5 (13.2) years; mean disease duration (S.D.) = 7.3 (12.0) years, completed the study. According to the group X time analysis, significant differences were found in respiratory function, mobility, and the ALSFRS-R in favor of the aerobic-strength group. These patients maintained their abilities, whereas, a significant decrease was observed in the flexibility training group. Scores of the SF-36 categories "physical functioning", "energy fatigue" and "wellbeing" were higher following the intervention in the aerobic-strength group compared with the stretching control group. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week combined aerobic and strength training program is far superior to flexibility alone in improving respiratory function, mobility, and wellbeing in ambulatory ALSpatients.
Authors: Thomas Meyer; Susanne Spittel; André Maier; Marcel Gaudlitz; Torsten Grehl; Ute Weyen; Robert Steinbach; Julian Grosskreutz; Annekathrin Rödiger; Jan Christoph Koch; Teresa Lengenfeld; Patrick Weydt; René Günther; Joachim Wolf; Petra Baum; Moritz Metelmann; Johannes Dorst; Albert C Ludolph; Dagmar Kettemann; Jenny Norden; Ruhan Yasemin Koc; Bertram Walter; Barbara Hildebrandt; Christoph Münch Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2022-06-10 Impact factor: 4.996