Exercise in MS eases fatigue, improves muscular fitness: Analysis

Optimal exercise type differs for each outcome, data from 84 trials show

Exercise effectively reduces fatigue and improves muscular fitness in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), though the optimal exercise type and dose differ for each outcome, according to a meta-analysis of published studies involving more than 3,500 patients.

Mind-body exercise, which combines physical movement, mental focus, and controlled breathing, was the best exercise mode to reduce fatigue, the analysis found. In contrast, high-intensity interval training, known as HIIT, featuring intense bursts of exercise followed by a brief recovery period, was best for muscular fitness.

“Among nonpharmacologic management, exercise can be a beneficial rehabilitation approach for MS, particularly [for] reducing fatigue and addressing mobility problems,” the researchers wrote.

According to the team, the optimal amount of exercise needed to reduce fatigue was 650 MET-minutes per week — a measure of the amount of physical activity in an exercise regimen. That corresponds, for example, to 165 minutes, or slightly more than 2.5 hours, of yoga per week. For improving muscular fitness, the most effective dose was 530 MET-minutes per week, which corresponds to 75 minutes, or slightly longer than one hour, of HIIT.

The study, “Comparison of different exercise modalities on fatigue and muscular fitness in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review with network, and dose-response meta-analyses,” was published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology.

Mind-body exercise best for reducing fatigue in MS, analysis finds

In MS, the immune-mediated damage to the brain and spinal cord often leads to problems with gait (walking) and balance, as well as muscle spasms. Such symptoms can contribute to fatigue, which is marked by feelings of exhaustion when performing daily activities.

A physical exercise regimen is often recommended for MS patients. It can help prevent or delay functional declines, ease symptoms, and improve overall physical fitness and quality of life.

Various exercises have been proposed for MS patients, including resistance training, aerobic exercise, HIIT, and mind-body exercise. Resistance training, or strength training, such as weightlifting, is designed to increase muscle strength and improve endurance, while aerobic exercise increases heart rate and the amount of oxygen the body uses.

Now, a team led by researchers at Chengdu Sport University in China conducted a pooled analysis of published studies investigating the impact of different types and amounts of exercise on fatigue and muscular fitness in MS patients.

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