The value of muscle exercise in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The role of physical activity for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is controversial. Twenty-five ALS patients were randomized to receive a moderate daily exercise program (n=14) or not to perform any physical activity beyond their usual daily requirements (n=11). At baseline and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, patients were assessed by manual muscle strength testing, the Ashworth spasticity scale, ALS functional rating scale (FRS), fatigue severity scale, a visual analogue scale for musculoskeletal pain and the quality-of-life scale (SF-36). At 3 months, patients who performed regular exercise showed less deterioration on FRS and Ashworth scales, but not on other parameters. At 6 months, there was no significant difference between groups, although a trend towards less deterioration in the treated group on most scales was observed. At 9 and 12 months, there were too few patients in each group for statistical evaluation. Our results show that a regular moderate physical exercise program has a short-lived positive effect on disability in ALS patients and should be recommended.
Drory
V E
VE
ALS Clinic, Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. emgunit@tasmc.health.gov.il
Goltsman
E
E
Reznik
J G
JG
Mosek
A
A
Korczyn
A D
AD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome