Effects of a 6-month exercise program on patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
To improve walking and other aspects of physical function with a progressive 6-month exercise program in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
MS patients with mild to moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale scores 1.0 to 5.5) were randomly assigned to an exercise or control group. The intervention consisted of strength and aerobic training initiated during 3-week inpatient rehabilitation and continued for 23 weeks at home. The groups were evaluated at baseline and at 6 months. The primary outcome was walking speed, measured by 7.62 m and 500 m walk tests. Secondary outcomes included lower extremity strength, upper extremity endurance and dexterity, peak oxygen uptake, and static balance. An intention-to-treat analysis was used.


RESULTS
Ninety-one (96%) of the 95 patients entering the study completed it. Change between groups was significant in the 7.62 m (p = 0.04) and 500 m walk tests (p = 0.01). In the 7.62 m walk test, 22% of the exercising patients showed clinically meaningful improvements. The exercise group also showed increased upper extremity endurance as compared to controls. No other noteworthy exercise-induced changes were observed. Exercise adherence varied considerably among the exercisers.


CONCLUSIONS
Walking speed improved in this randomized study. The results confirm that exercise is safe for multiple sclerosis patients and should be recommended for those with mild to moderate disability.
Romberg
A
A
Masku Neurologic Rehabilitation Centre, PO Box 15, FIN-21251 Masku, Finland. anders.romberg@ms-liitto.fi
Virtanen
A
A
Ruutiainen
J
J
Aunola
S
S
Karppi
S-L
SL
Vaara
M
M
Surakka
J
J
Pohjolainen
T
T
Seppänen
A
A
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013550:Swimming; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking; D014891:Weight Lifting