title: Exercise in the community for people with multiple sclerosis--a follow-up of people with minimal gait impairment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there are many studies evaluating exercise interventions, few studies have evaluated the effect at follow-up.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper presents follow-up data for participants who completed the exercise interventions in a large randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-one people with multiple sclerosis (MS) with minimal gait impairment who completed 10 weeks of community-based exercise interventions were evaluated by a blinded assessor 12 weeks after the intervention. The primary outcome measure was the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 version 2 (MSIS-29,v2) physical component. Other outcomes were the MSIS-29 psychological component, the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The positive effect on the physical impact of MS was not maintained from baseline to follow-up (-1.6, 95% CI -0.8, 4.0, p=0.189). The psychological impact and the impact of fatigue remained significantly improved (-3.5, 95% CI -6.1, -1.0, p = 0.006 and -4.68, 95% CI -6.9, -2.5, p < 0.001, respectively). There was no time effect for the 6MWT (f = 1.76, p = 0.179) although the trend suggests reversal of the benefits gained from the physiotherapist (PT)- and fitness instructor (FI)-led intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The maintained benefit on the psychological impact of MS and fatigue may have important personal and socioeconomic consequences; however, it is important to find ways to maintain the physical benefits of exercise over the long term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Ireland. maria.garrett@ul.ie
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: Neasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: Aidan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Larkin
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jakeman
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coote
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D055070:Resistance Training; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; community; exercise; follow-up