title: Strictly monitored exercise programs reduce motor deterioration in ALS: preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: The objective of our study was to perform a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the effects of three strictly monitored exercise programs(SMEP) compared to "usual care" (UCP) in a cohort of ALS patients. We included patients with definite and probable ALS and disease duration ≤24 months. Patients were randomized to receive a SMEPs or a UCP. SMEPs included three subgroups of treatment: active exercises associated with cycloergometer activity (1A), only active (1B) and passive (1C) exercises, respectively. Moreover, SMEP patients and their caregivers were trained to a daily home-based passive exercise program. The UCP group was treated with passive and stretching exercises twice weekly. The treatment period for both groups was 6 months (T180), and patients were assessed by revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), % Forced Vital Capacity (FVC %), and McGill Quality of Life (MGQoL) questionnaire. ALSFRS-R score was also evaluated at 6 months after the treatment period (T360). Sixty ALS patients were randomly assigned to one of two arms: SMEP Group included 30 patients, ten subjects for each subgroup (1A, 1B, and 1C); 30 patients were included in the UCP Group.At T180 and T360, SMEPs group had significantly higher ALSFRS-R score compared to the UCP group (32.8 ± 6.5 vs 28.7 ± 7.5, p = 0.0298; 27.5 ± 7.6 vs 23.3 ± 7.6, p = 0.0338, respectively). No effects of SMEPs on survival, respiratory decline and MGQol were found. In conclusion, although no effect on survival was demonstrated,our data suggest that a strictly monitored exercise program may significantly reduce motor deterioration in ALS patients.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lunetta
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lizio
authors.forename: Valeria A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Sansone
authors.forename: Nadia Maria
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Cellotto
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maestri
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bettinelli
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gatti
authors.forename: Mario Giovanni
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Melazzini
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meola
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corbo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method