title: The effects of a 12-week leisure centre-based, group exercise intervention for people moderately affected with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish the effects of a 12-week, community-based group exercise intervention for people moderately affected with multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled pilot trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two community leisure centres.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two participants with multiple sclerosis randomized into intervention or control groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention group received 12 weeks of twice weekly, 60-minute group exercise sessions, including mobility, balance and resistance exercises. The control group received usual care.
  
  
  METHODS
  An assessor blinded to group allocation assessed participants at baseline, after eight weeks and after 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was 25-foot (7.6 m) walk time, secondary outcomes assessed walking endurance, balance, physical function, leg strength, body mass index, activity levels, fatigue, anxiety and depression, quality of life and goal attainment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention made no statistically significant difference to the results of participants' 25-foot walk time. However the intervention led to many improvements. In the intervention group levels of physical activity improved statistically between baseline and week 8 (P < 0.001) and baseline and week 12 (P = 0.005). Balance confidence results showed a significant difference between baseline and week 12 (P = 0.013). Good effect sizes were found for dynamic balance (d = 0.80), leg strength (d = 1.33), activity levels (d = 1.05) and perceived balance (d = 0.94).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study suggest that community-based group exercise classes are a feasible option for people moderately affected with multiple sclerosis, and offer benefits such as improved physical activity levels, balance and leg strength.
authors: College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. y.learmonth.1@research.gla.ac.uk
authors: Y C
authors: YC
authors: Learmonth
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Paul
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Miller
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Mattison
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: McFadyen
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom