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Exercise improves physical capacity, cognition, quality of life and promotes neurotrophic factors in patients with multiple sclerosis [with consumer summary]
Acik M, Senisik S, Taskiran D, Aksit T, Aydinoglu R, Yuceyar AN
Noro Psikiatri Arsivi [Archives of Neuropsychiatry] 2023 Dec;60(4):335-343
clinical trial
3/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: No; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to determine the effect of regular exercise on aerobic capacity, strength values, and plasma levels of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and investigate its effects on MS symptoms including cognitive impairment, fatigue, balance disorders, and quality of life (QOL). METHODS: Forty-three relapsing-remitting MS patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 4 or less participated in the study. Participants were divided into three groups: aerobic group, strength group, and control group. The patients in the exercise groups had exercise programs three days a week for three months. Aerobic capacity (maximum VO2 value), strength measurements, and balance tests were done, and NGF and NT-3 plasma levels were analyzed in all participants at the beginning and end of the study. Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54), fatigue impact scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and, to evaluate cognitive functions, BICAMS scale were applied. RESULTS: Aerobic exercise and strength exercise groups had significant increases in VO2 max, back and leg strength values, and NGF and NT-3 plasma levels (p < 0.01). Cognitive functions, fatigue, sleep quality, and QOL significantly improved in the exercise groups (p < 0.01). The balance values were also significantly improved in the aerobic group (p < 0.01), and althoughimprovement although improvement was observed in the strength group, it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that regular exercise improves quality of life, cognitive functions, fatigue, and sleep quality in MS patients. The levels of NGF and NT-3, which are important factors in neural regeneration and remyelination, were increased post exercise. It can be suggested that exercise may have a potential effect on MS and slow down the disease process with these results.

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