The Effect of Regular Exercise on Multiple Sclerosis Progression
Project no. 20736 · Status: Kapanmış · 2019
Summary
Objective: The adoption of a sedentary lifestyle is common in MS patients. This deteriorates physical performance values and may initiate the exacerbation cycle of MS symptoms. It is known that regular exercises increase the level of neurotrophins and neurotrophins which have positive effects on the central nervous system. Our first aim in this study is to show that regular exercises increase the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in MS patients. Our second aim is to show that this increase will affect the central nervous system positively and improve cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, balance disorder, sleep and quality of life. Method: Fifty-three relapsing remitting MS patients with EDSS scores 4 and below 4 were followed at Ege University Neurology Clinic were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups as aerobic exercise group (AG), strength exercise group (SG) and control group. The patients in the exercise groups performed the exercise programs determined for 3 months, 3 days per week. Aerobic capacity and strength measurements, balance tests were performed and NGF and NT-3 plasma values were analyzed by ELISA. MSQoL54 quality of life, fatigue effect scale and PSQI scales were filled by patients. BICAMS scale was used to assess cognitive function. All scales and analyzes were repeated before and after the study to show the effect of exercise. Results: Statistically significant increases were found in VO2max (AG: p <0.001, SG: p = 0.003) and strength values (back strength; AG: p = 0.002, SG: p <0.001, leg strength; AG: p <0.001, SG: p <0.001) in exercise groups. There were statistically significant increase in NGF (AG: p <0.001, SG: p = 0.002) and NT-3 (AG: p = 0.083, SG: p <0.001) plasma levels via exercise. However, the increase of NT-3 in aerobic group was not statistically significant. In addition, there were statistically significant improvements in cognitive function, sleep and quality of life in exercise groups. Statistically significant improvement was observed in balance values in aerobic group, however the improvement in the strength group was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant decrease in fatigue scores of all groups according to the fatigue effect scale. Conclusion: Our study shows that the progression of MS and complications related to the disease can be prevented by regular exercise.