Abstract Details

Title Long-Term Aerobic Endurance Exercise in MS Patients with and without Fatigue

Topic Neural Repair/Rehabilitation

Presentation(s) P04 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 042

Objective

Background BACKGROUND: Physical activity has emerged as an important symptomatic treatment option for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and has finally superseded the traditional concept that physical exercise might trigger relapses and worsen the natural course of disease. However, previous studies included MS patients with various degrees of disability and fatigue, and in most cases the exercise protocols were only applied for a maximum of three months. Therefore, it has not been firmly established if the reported beneficial effects of physical exercise in MS patients are persistent or transient, and to what extent baseline fatigue levels may influence the oberserved effects.

Design/Methods DESIGN/METHODS: We present the results of a prospective, comparative, observer-blinded, single-center trial including 60 ambulatory patients with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis, and an EDSS score of ? 3.5. Patients were assigned to either a fatigue group (FG) or a non-fatigue group (nFG) according to their baseline fatigue severity scale (FSS) scores. The cut-off value for the assignment to the fatigue group was a FSS score of > 4. Both groups performed an individualized endurcance exercise over a 12 month period with follow-up examinations at three months intervals using a modified Naughton treadmill protocol.

Results RESULTS: Peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) increased significantly in both groups (FG: p=0.03, nFG: p<0.02) after six months. This exercise effect remained significant after 12 months in the FG (p <0.001), but was not maintained in the nFG (p=0.66). In the FG, a significant decrease of the FSS score was only observed after nine months (p < 0.03).

Conclusions CONCLUSIONS: Since baseline motor fatigue may affect treatment effects, future exercise interventions in MS patients should take into account the particular needs of patients with fatigue and adjust the exercise protocols accordingly.

Authors/Disclosures
PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
David H. Margolin, MD, PhD (Genzyme Corporation)	Dr. Margolin has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of uniQure, Inc.. Dr. Margolin has stock in Cerevance, Inc. Dr. Margolin has stock in Datacubed Health. Dr. Margolin has stock in uniQure, Inc.. Dr. Margolin has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.

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