scholarly journals Assessing the effectiveness of yoga, Tai Chi and aerobics on the fatigue of multiple sclerosis patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 12-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zorina Alina Stroe ◽  
Silviu Docu Axelerad ◽  
Alexandru Floris Stuparu ◽  
Daniel Docu Axelerad

AbstractIntroduction: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, autoimmune, debilitating disease that affects the central nervous system, and the affected population is predominantly young. Over time, patients with multiple sclerosis end up developing an inability to perform physical activities, even the most basic, innate, such as walking or even coordination.Purpose: Physical recovery of patients with multiple sclerosis, in fact, recovery from fatigue is the main goal of this study, because fatigue is a prevalent factor among these individuals, producing negative effects on the physical, mental, but also on the emotional status.Method: We analyzed, from the point of view of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale Test - 5-Item Version (MFIS-5), the level of fatigue in a group of 75 patients with multiple sclerosis, before and after a period of one month, where patients were divided into three groups and every group practiced one of the following sports activities: yoga, Tai Chi and aerobics.Results: The effectiveness of each sport was analyzed, from the point of view of the level of fatigue, having as reference the first measurement performed before the beginning of the sports programs. A significant difference in effectiveness was found in the group of patients with multiple sclerosis who used yoga.Conclusion: Our results provided evidence for the association of exercise methods that can affect beneficially the level of fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients, the most effective one being yoga.

Author(s):  
M.S. Keles ◽  
S. Taysi ◽  
N. Sen ◽  
H. Aksoy ◽  
F. Akçay

ABSTRACT:Objective:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease characterised by perivascular infiltrates and demyelination of the white matter in the central nervous system. Although the precise cause of MS remains unknown, some investigations have been carried out on antioxidant mechanisms in these patients.Methods:In this study, malondialdehyde (MDA), as a lipid peroxidation marker, and ceruloplasmin (Cp) and transferrin (Trf), as antioxidant proteins, levels were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of 30 MS patients before and after corticosteroid therapy and in 20 control subjects. Transferrin and Cp levels were measured by the nephelometric method and MDAwas measured spectrophotometrically.Results:Mean MDAserumand MDACSFlevels were found to be highest in the pretreatment group and lowest in the control group. Although there was no significant difference in terms of serum Trf level, serum Cp was found higher in pre- and posttreatment groups than in the control groups. Ceruloplasmin and Trf levels of CSF were not detectable using the nephelometric method. A significant correlation was found between MDACSFand MDAserumin the pretreatment group (r=0.58).Conclusions:These data revealed that lipid peroxidation was increased in serum and particulary in CSF of MS patients and was reduced with corticosteroid therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 173-177
Author(s):  
Marta Milewska-Jędrzejczak ◽  
◽  
Dominika Książek-Winiarek ◽  
Piotr Szpakowski ◽  
Igor A. Bednarski ◽  
...  

Introduction: Neuroplasticity is the function of the central nervous system that allows structural and functional reorganisation in response to external and internal factors. It is a crucial aspect that allows for the restoration of motor functions in people with limited brain damage. Patients with multiple sclerosis may obtain a special benefit from activities that support brain neuroplasticity. In order to stimulate neuroplasticity, several attempts were made to identify neuroplasticity-influencing factors. Aim: The objective of the study was to measure the effect of aerobic training on plasma neurotrophin levels that are potentially responsible for the brain plasticity phenomenon in patients with multiple sclerosis. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 22 patients with multiple sclerosis remaining in the drug programs of the National Health Fund. The study group underwent a 4-week rehabilitation scheme that consisted of training on a horizontal ergometer twice a day for 15 minutes 6 days a week, whereas the control group did not participate in any form of training. The plasma levels of neurotrophins (BDNF, PDGF, NGF, GDNF) and fractalkine (chemokine CX3CL1) were tested in all patients, the patients were assessed in the motor disability scale, the cognitive function screening and Beck depression inventory at the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks of rehabilitation. Results: The study showed no statistically significant difference in the levels of neurotrophins assessed before and after 4 weeks of aerobic training. A significant improvement in the clinical condition evaluated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was observed in patients from the study group. Conclusion: Further studies on larger groups and with more homogenous participants are necessary to gain more insights into this aspect.


Author(s):  
Л.И. Герасимова-Мейгал ◽  
И.М. Сиренев

Цель исследования - изучение особенностей восприимчивости пациентов с рассеянным склерозом (РС) к холодовому воздействию с помощью функциональных тестов, характеризующих функцию терморегуляции. Как известно, РС - хроническое прогрессирующее аутоиммунное заболевание центральной нервной системы мультифакториальной природы, более часто встречающееся в регионах с холодным и влажным климатом. Нарушения терморегуляции вследствие автономной дисфункции являются характерным признаком РС, вместе с тем участию холодового фактора в развитии заболевания не придается существенного значения. Методика. Обследовано 32 пациента (17 мужчин и 15 женщин, средний возраст 29,6 ± 4,2 года) с установленным диагнозом: РС ремиттирующе-рецидивирующая форма течения (средняя продолжительность заболевания - 4,2 ± 2,7 года) и 18 практически здоровых лиц группы сравнения. Восприятие холода оценивали с помощью визуально-аналоговой шкалы. Продолжительность холод-индуцированной вазоконстрикции после локального холодового теста изучали по данным инфракрасной термометрии. Вегетативную регуляцию вазомоторных реакций оценивали по результатам анализа вызванных кожных вегетативных потенциалов (ВКВП). Результаты. На основе анализа самооценки восприятия холода у пациентов с РС показана низкая переносимость холодового фактора. При проведении локального холодового теста отмечено замедление восстановления температуры кожи кисти, что характерно для усиления холод-индуцированной вазоконстрикции. В группе пациентов с РС выявлено снижение параметров ВКВП ладоней и стоп, свидетельствующее о дефиците нейрогенного контроля терморегуляционных сосудистых реакций. Заключение. У пациентов с РС выявлены нарушения механизмов терморегуляции при действии холода, что обусловливает высокую индивидуальную восприимчивость к холоду у данной категории лиц. Сопоставление результатов анализа механизмов индивидуальной холод-индуцированной реактивности у пациентов с РС с данными эпидемиологических исследований приводит к заключению о потенциальном модулирующем влиянии холодового фактора на течение РС. The purpose of the present study was focused on the evaluation of the sensitivity to cold in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients by means of functional thermoregulatory based tests. MS is known to be a chronic autoimmune progressive disease of the central nervous system of multifactor origin that is very common in regions with cold and humid climate. Disorder of thermoregulation caused by autonomic dysfunction is a typical feature of MS, however the role of the cold in the disease development is still underestimated. Methods. Thirty two MS patients (17 males, 15 females, mean age 29,6 ± 4,2 years) with the remittent form of the disease (mean disease duration 4,2 ± 2,7 years) and 18 age-matched healthy controls volunteered to participate in this study. Susceptibility to cold was analyzed with the use of visual-analogous scale. The duration of cold-induced vasoconstriction after local cold test was estimated using by infrared thermometry. Autonomic regulation of vasomotor reactions was investigated with the help of the skin sympathetic response (SSR) analysis. Results. The analysis of self-reported perception of the cold in MS patients showed their low tolerance to cold. Slow recovery of the skin temperature of the hand in the local cold test observed in MS patients was considered as the aggravated cold-induced vasoconstriction. The decreased SSR in the hands and feet in MS patients was found that indicates the deficit of the neurogenic control of thermoregulatory vasomotor reactions. Conclusion. The results obtained demonstrate the impairment of thermoregulation under cold in MS patients that leads to higher individual susceptibility to cold of this group. Comparing of the data found in this study on the mechanisms of the individual cold-induced reactivity in MS patients with epidemiological surveys enable to conclude that cold environment has potential modulating effect of on the course of MS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 632-637
Author(s):  
Masih Falahatian

It is an assumption that different kinds of nutrition, diet, and functional foods might have different positive or negative effects on multiple sclerosis (MS), a neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). This brief paper involved a study on various kinds of nutrition including salt, fat, dairy, fruit, and vegetables. At the end of this study, appropriate diets were evaluated for MS patients. Based on previous studies both on animal models and on MS patients, excessive dietary salt intake and animal fat had worsening effects on MS patients but fruit and vegetable intake helped the remission of MS and decreased the risk of developing it. There were, of course, conflicting results in different studies over the role of some nutrition in MS and future studies on larger numbers of cases were required to collect reliable results. As a result, at the end of this study and based on literature, it is suggested that a diet should be programmed by nutritionists containing fewer salt, fat, and dairy intake and more fruits and vegetables for MS patients in order to better management of the disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
pp. 102850
Author(s):  
Maja Rogić Vidaković ◽  
Nataša Šimić ◽  
Ana Poljičanin ◽  
Matilda Nikolić Ivanišević ◽  
Jerković Ana ◽  
...  

Open Medicine ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 509-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Marola ◽  
Alessia Ferrarese ◽  
Enrico Gibin ◽  
Marco Capobianco ◽  
Antonio Bertolotto ◽  
...  

AbstractConstipation, obstructed defecation, and fecal incontinence are frequent complaints in multiple sclerosis. The literature on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these disorders is scant. Using anorectal manometry, we compared the anorectal function in patients with and without multiple sclerosis.136 patients referred from our Center for Multiple Sclerosis to the Coloproctology Outpatient Clinic, between January 2005 and December 2011, were enrolled. The patients were divided into four groups: multiple sclerosis patients with constipation (group A); multiple sclerosis patients with fecal incontinence (group B); non-multiple sclerosis patients with constipation (group C); non-multiple sclerosis patients with fecal incontinence (group D). Anorectal manometry was performed to measure: resting anal pressure; maximum squeeze pressure; rectoanal inhibitory reflex; filling pressure and urge pressure. The difference between resting anal pressure before and after maximum squeeze maneuvers was defined as the change in resting anal pressure calculated for each patient.ResultsGroup A patients were noted to have greater sphincter hypotonia at rest and during contraction compared with those in group C (p=0.02); the rectal sensitivity threshold was lower in group B than in group D patients (p=0.02). No voluntary postcontraction sphincter relaxation was observed in either group A or group B patients (p=0.891 and p=0.939, respectively).ConclusionsThe decrease in the difference in resting anal pressure before and after maximum squeeze maneuvers suggests post-contraction sphincter spasticity, indicating impaired pelvic floor coordination in multiple sclerosis patients. A knowledge of manometric alterations in such patients may be clinically relevant in the selection of patients for appropriate treatments and for planning targeted rehabilitation therapy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1126-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Sattarnezhad ◽  
Samantha Farrow ◽  
Dorlan Kimbrough ◽  
Bonnie Glanz ◽  
Brian Healy ◽  
...  

Background: Visual symptoms are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Low-contrast visual acuity (LCVA) testing using Sloan charts has demonstrated increased sensitivity for visual deficits compared to high-contrast acuity testing. Computerized testing of visual acuity may facilitate use in the clinic setting. Objectives: To evaluate the agreement between an iPad-based and Sloan testing of LCVA in a cohort of MS patients. Methods: A total of 38 patients with relapsing-remitting MS were enrolled after providing informed written consent at Partners MS Center, Brigham and Women’s hospital. Monocular LCVA was measured using retroilluminated Sloan chart and iPad-based LogMAR chart. Number of correct letters and agreement between two measurements were assessed for each eye using Bland–Altman analysis and paired t-test. Results: For both eyes, there was no significant difference in number correct between the two measurements using a paired t-test, and there was high correlation between two measurements (oculus dextrus (OD) r = 0.89, p < 0.001; oculus sinister (OS) r = 0.78, p < 0.001). The limits of agreement were −7.9 to +8.5 letters for the right eye and −10.9 to +11.2 letters for the left eye. Conclusion: An iPad-based LCVA test shows good agreement with Sloan testing in MS patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 3589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Rossi ◽  
Ilaria Cicalini ◽  
Mirco Zucchelli ◽  
Maria di Ioia ◽  
Marco Onofrj ◽  
...  

Multiple sclerosis (MuS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system characterized by neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and degradation of the myelin sheath. Epidemiological studies have shown that the female gender is more susceptible than the male gender to MuS development, with a female-to-male ratio of 2:1. Despite this high onset, women have a better prognosis than men, and the frequency of the relapsing phase decreases during pregnancy, while it increases soon after birth. Therefore, it is interesting to investigate hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and whether they correlate with metabolic signatures. To gain a deeper inside into the biochemical mechanism of such a multifactorial disease, we adopted targeted metabolomics approaches for the determination of many serum metabolites in 12 pregnant women affected by MuS by mass spectrometry analysis. Our data show a characteristic hormonal fluctuation for estrogens and progesterone, as expected. They also highlight other interesting hormonal alterations for cortisol, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, 4-androstene-3,17-dione, testosterone, and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone. Furthermore, a negative correlation with progesterone levels was observed for amino acids and for acylcarnitines, while an imbalance of different sphingolipids pathways was found during pregnancy. In conclusion, these data are in agreement with the characteristic clinical signs of MuS patients during pregnancy and, if confirmed, they may add an important tessera in the complex mosaic of maternal neuroprotection.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document