Aerobic exercise to improve fitness, walking ability and cognitive function in multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial

Background Only few aerobic exercise intervention trials specifically targeting cognitive functioning have been performed in multiple sclerosis. Objective and Methods This randomized controlled trial with 34 patients in the intervention group (IG) (mean: 38.2 years (±9.6)) and 34 patients in the control group (CG) (mean: 39.6 years (±9.7)) aimed to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The primary outcome was verbal learning assessed by the verbal learning and memory test (VLMT). Patients were randomized to an IG or a waitlist CG. Patients in the IG exercised according to an individually tailored training schedule (with two to three sessions per week for 12 weeks). The primary analysis was carried out using the intention-to-treat (ITT) sample with ANCOVA adjusting for baseline scores. Results A total of 77 patients with RRMS were screened and 68 participants randomized (CG n = 34; IG n = 34). The sample comprised 68% females, had a mean age of 39 years, a mean disease duration of 6.3 years, and a mean expanded disability status scale of 1.8. No significant effects were detected in the ITT analysis for the primary endpoint VLMT or any other cognitive measures. Moreover, no significant treatment effects were observed for quality of life, fatigue, or depressive symptoms. Conclusion This study failed to demonstrate beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in RRMS. The trial was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02005237).

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A multi-modal virtual reality treadmill intervention for enhancing mobility and cognitive function in people with multiple sclerosis: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Contemporary Clinical Trials ◽

10.1016/j.cct.2020.106122 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 97 ◽

pp. 106122 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K.L. Hsieh ◽

A. Mirelman ◽

S. Shema-Shiratzky ◽

I. Galperin ◽

K. Regev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Cognitive function in multiple sclerosis improves with telerehabilitation: Results from a randomized controlled trial

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0177177 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. e0177177 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Leigh E. Charvet ◽

Jie Yang ◽

Michael T. Shaw ◽

Kathleen Sherman ◽

Lamia Haider ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled

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A randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of a mediterranean-like diet in patients with multiple sclerosis-associated cognitive impairments and fatigue

Current Journal of Neurology ◽

10.18502/cjn.v19i3.5424 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Soodeh Razeghi-Jahromi ◽

Rozita Doosti ◽

Zeinab Ghorbani ◽

Roghayyeh Saeedi ◽

Maryam Abolhasani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Diet Group ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Healthy Diet ◽

Standard Diet ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The Mediterranean

Background: Among multiple sclerosis (MS) related symptoms and complications, fatigue might impact roughly 90% of patients. Decline in cognitive function is one of the other complications that occur in the first years after disease onset. The Mediterranean diet is one of the well-known anti-inflammatory dietary approaches. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of a modified Mediterranean-like diet on cognitive changes and fatigue levels in comparison with a conventional standard diet over a 1-year follow-up. Methods: In the current single-blind randomized controlled trial, 34 MS patients in the Mediterranean- like diet group and 38 patients in the standard healthy diet group were studied for 1 year. The dietary interventions were modified each month by an expert nutritionist. MS-associated fatigue level was evaluated using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). Cognitive assessment was also performed using Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS). Results: Intergroup ‎comparisons demonstrated that after considering confounding variables in ANCOVA, fatigue scores appeared significantly lower in patients who were treated with the Mediterranean-like diet than those in the standard healthy diet group [Mean 95% confidence interval (CI)}: 33.93 (32.97-34.89) and 37.98 (36.99-38.97), respectively; P < 0.001]. However, the intergroup ‎analysis of cognitive status only showed a difference in the mean score of Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) subtest of the MACFIMS. The BVMT-R‎ was higher among standard healthy diet patients compared to the Mediterranean-like diet group after the intervention following adjustment for covariates [Mean (95% CI): 23.73 (21.88-25.57) and 20.56 (18.60-22.51), respectively; P = 0.020]. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study highlighted the higher protective effects of the Mediterranean-like diet against MS-related fatigue than the standard healthy diet. However, no significant improvement was observed in the cognitive status of MS patients after a 1-year treatment with the Mediterranean-like diet. More randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to elucidate the effects of dietary modifications on MS-associated symptoms and complications.

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