title: Effect of Contralateral Strength Training on Muscle Weakness in People With Multiple Sclerosis: Proof-of-Concept Case Series.
abstract: The contralateral strength training (CST) effect is a transfer of muscle performance to the untrained limb following training of the contralateral side.
  
  
  
  The aim of this study was to explore, in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) presenting marked lower limb strength asymmetry, the effectiveness of CST on management of muscle weakness of the more-affected limb following training of the less-affected limb.
  
  
  
  A single-subject research design was used.
  
  
  
  Eight individuals with MS underwent 16 to 18 high-intensity training sessions of the less-affected ankle dorsiflexor muscles. The primary outcome measure of this single-system case series was maximal strength expressed as peak moment and maximal work. Secondary outcome measures were: Six-Minute-Walk Test, Timed "Up & Go" Test, 10-Meter Timed Walk Test, and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 questionnaire.
  
  
  
  After the 6-week intervention, the contralateral more affected (untrained) limb showed a 22% to 24% increase in maximal strength. From pretest-posttest measurements, participants also performed significantly better on the clinical and functional secondary outcome measures. At the 12-week follow-up, the strength levels of the weaker untrained limb remained significantly superior to baseline levels in the majority (5 out of 8) of the outcome parameters.
  
  
  
  Considering the design used, the absence of a control group, and the sample size, these findings should be cautiously generalized and will need confirmation in a properly planned randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  
  The present proof-of-concept study shows, for the first time, the occurrence of the CST effect on muscle performance of ankle dorsiflexor muscles in people with MS. These preliminary findings reveal new potential implications for CST as a promising rehabilitation approach to those conditions where unilateral muscle weakness does not allow or makes difficult performing conventional strength training of the weaker limb.
authors.affiliation: A. Manca, BSc, MSc, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manca
authors.affiliation: M.P. Cabboi, MD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari.
authors.forename: Maria Paola
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Cabboi
authors.affiliation: E. Ortu, MD, PhD, Neurology Unit, A. Segni Hospital-ASL n. 1, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ortu
authors.affiliation: F. Ginatempo, BSc, MSc, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ginatempo
authors.affiliation: D. Dragone, BSc, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dragone
authors.affiliation: I.R. Zarbo, MD, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Sassari.
authors.forename: Ignazio Roberto
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Zarbo
authors.affiliation: E.R. de Natale, MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari.
authors.forename: Edoardo Rosario
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: de Natale
authors.affiliation: G. Mureddu, BSc, Neurorehabilitation Unit, Policlinico Sassarese, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mureddu
authors.affiliation: G. Bua, MD, Neurorehabilitation Unit, Policlinico Sassarese.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bua
authors.affiliation: F. Deriu, MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy. deriuf@uniss.it.
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Deriu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D000070857:Walk Test; D055815:Young Adult