BackgroundPeople with multiple sclerosis (MS) have functional disability and may have reduced muscle mitochondrial capacity.ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to measure muscle mitochondrial capacity of leg muscles using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and compare to functional status.Materials and methodsPeople with MS (n = 16) and a control (CON) group (n = 9) were evaluated for 25-ft walk time. Mitochondrial capacity of both gastrocnemius muscles were measured with NIRS as the rate of recovery of oxygen consumption in after exercise.ResultsMitochondrial capacity was lower in the MS group compared to the CON group (rate constants: 1.13 ± 0.29 vs. 1.68 ± 0.37 min−1, p < 0.05). There was a tendency for people with MS who used assistive devices to have lower mitochondrial capacity in the weaker leg (p = 0.07).ConclusionNIRS measurements of mitochondrial capacity suggest a 40% deficit in people with MS compared to CONs and this may contribute to walking disability.

CME/CNE Information Activity Available Online: To access the article, post-test, and evaluation online, go to http://www.cmscscholar.org. Target Audience: The target audience for this activity is physicians, physician assistants, nursing professionals, rehabilitation professionals, and other health care providers involved in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Learning Objectives: 1) Discuss the rationale for functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling for people with MS who are nonambulatory and use a wheelchair for mobility. 2) Describe an FES protocol that is safe and potentially effective for people with MS who are nonambulatory. Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) and Delaware Media Group. The CMSC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. Physician Credit: The CMSC designates this journal-based activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Nurse Credit: The CMSC designates this enduring material for 1.0 contact hour (none in the area of pharmacology). Disclosures: Francois Bethoux, MD, Editor in Chief of the International Journal of MS Care (IJMSC), has served as Physician Planner for this activity. He has disclosed relationships with Springer Publishing (royalty), Qr8 (receipt of intellectual property rights/patent holder), Biogen (receipt of intellectual property rights/patent holder, speakers’ bureau), GW Pharma (consulting fee), MedRhythms (consulting fee, contracted research), and Adamas Pharmaceuticals (contracted research). Laurie Scudder, DNP, NP, has served as Reviewer for this activity. She has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Deborah Backus, PT, PhD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Marina Moldavskiy, BS, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. W. Mark Sweatman, PhD, MBA, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. The peer reviewers for IJMSC have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. The staff at IJMSC, CMSC, and Delaware Media Group who are in a position to influence content have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Note: Financial relationships may have changed in the interval between listing these disclosures and publication of the article. Method of Participation: Release Date: August 1, 2020 Valid for Credit Through: August 1, 2021 In order to receive CME/CNE credit, participants must: 1) Review the continuing education information, including learning objectives and author disclosures.2) Study the educational content.3) Complete the post-test and evaluation, which are available at http://www.cmscscholar.org Statements of Credit are awarded upon successful completion of the post-test with a passing score of &gt;70% and the evaluation. There is no fee to participate in this activity. Disclosure of Unlabeled Use: This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not approved by the FDA. The CMSC and Delaware Media Group do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the CMSC or Delaware Media Group. Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any medications, diagnostic procedures, or treatments discussed in this publication should not be used by clinicians or other health care professionals without first evaluating their patients’ conditions, considering possible contraindications or risks, reviewing any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparing any therapeutic approach with the recommendations of other authorities.

Background: Exercise can improve muscle function and mobility in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the effects of exercise training on skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and endurance in people with MS remain unclear, and few studies have evaluated muscle plasticity in people with MS who have moderate-to-severe disability. The present study evaluated the effects of treadmill training on muscle oxidative capacity and muscle endurance and examined the relationship to walking function in people with MS who have moderate-to-severe disability. Methods: Six adults (mean ± SD age, 50 ± 4.9 years) with MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 6.0–6.5) performed treadmill training for 24 minutes approximately twice per week for approximately 8 weeks (16 sessions total) using an antigravity treadmill system. The following measures were taken before and after the intervention phase: muscle oxidative capacity in the medial gastrocnemius using near-infrared spectroscopy after 15 to 20 seconds of electrical stimulation; muscle endurance in the medial gastrocnemius using accelerometer-based mechanomyography during 9 minutes of twitch electrical stimulation in three stages (3 minutes per stage) of increasing frequency (2, 4, and 6 Hz); and walking function using the 2-Minute Walk Test. Results: Mean ± SD muscle oxidative capacity increased from 0.64 ± 0.19 min−1 to 1.08 ± 0.52 min−1 (68.2%). Mean ± SD muscle endurance increased from 80.9% ± 15.2% to 91.5% ± 4.8% at 2 Hz, from 56.3% ± 20.1% to 76.6% ± 15.8% at 4 Hz, and from 29.2% ± 13.1% to 53.9% ± 19.4% at 6 Hz of stimulation in the gastrocnemius. There were no significant improvements in walking function. Conclusions: Treadmill training can improve muscle oxidative capacity and endurance in people with MS who have moderate-to-severe levels of disability.

Muscle oxidative capacity and muscle endurance, as well as walking function, improved in a person with MS after training on an antigravity treadmill.

Objective To examine the safety, feasibility, and response to functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling protocols requiring differing levels of effort in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are nonambulatory. Design Pilot study with pre-post intervention testing. Setting Outpatient clinic setting of a long-term acute care hospital. Participants Individuals (N=10) with MS (6 men; mean age 58.6±9.86y) who use a wheelchair for community mobility. Participants’ Expanded Disability Status Scale score ranged from 6.5 to 8.5 (median 7.5). Intervention Participants performed 3 or 4 FES cycling protocols requiring different levels of volitional effort during 6-8 testing sessions. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome was safety, measured by adverse events and increase in MS symptoms, all assessed throughout, immediately post- and 1 day postsession. FES cycling performance for each protocol was also recorded. Exploratory outcome measures collected before and after all testing sessions included functional assessment of MS, MS Impact Scale, Exercise Self Efficacy Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item, and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. Results All participants (4 women, 6 men) completed all testing sessions. There were no serious adverse events or differences in vitals or symptoms between protocols. Two participants had an isolated episode of mild hypotension. Changes in pain, spasticity, and fatigue were minimal. Five participants were able to cycle for 30 minutes and completed interval training protocols requiring increasing difficulty. The remainder cycled for <3 minutes and completed a rest interval protocol. There was modest improvement on the exploratory outcome measures. Conclusions People with MS who use a wheelchair for community mobility can safely perform FES cycling requiring more effort than previously reported research. Therefore, the individuals may experience greater benefits than previously reported. Further study is required to better understand the potential benefits for optimizing function and improving health in people with MS.