Background:Muscle weakness and fatigue contribute to the reduction of daily activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Therapeutic strategies to promote improvements in muscle strength and endurance are limited in individuals with MS. Some evidence showed that exercise may improve and affect different aspects of the disease including quality of life, fatigue, motor and cognitive functions.Objectives:To investigate the value of resistance training of moderate to high intensity on motor function, muscle strength, balance and perceived disability in male patients with multiple sclerosis compared to a control group.Patients and Methods:20 male patients with MS (mean ± SD, age: 34.05 ± 7.8 y; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): 2.94 ± 1.5) were recruited and randomized either to the exercise (E) or control group (C). Group E participated in a three-time weekly individualized progressive resistance-training program (both upper and lower extremities) for eight weeks, while group C was advised not to change their physical activity habits. All initial measures (including EDSS, balance, muscle strength, and functional mobility) were re-evaluated at the end of the program.Results:Two patients of group E left the program. The other eight subjects completed the program with no MS-related exacerbations/complications. There was a significant change in 2 of 3 aspects of ambulatory function [Three minutes step test (P = 0.001), Timed Up and Go test (P = 0.009)], muscle strength (P = 0.000), and EDSS (P = 0.014). Comparing the two groups, we did not observe any significant change in “Balance” (P = 0.407).Conclusions:The resistance training of moderate to high intensity was well-tolerated in MS patients and may be an effective intervention for improving muscle strength, functional ability and EDSS-based disease severity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.