Randomized controlled trial of yoga and exercise in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease impacting cognitive function, fatigue, mood, and quality of life.
• Interventions to manage MS symptoms are crucial for improving patient well-being.
• The effects of structured exercise programs like yoga and aerobic training on MS outcomes require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a 6-month Iyengar yoga program versus aerobic exercise on cognitive function, fatigue, mood, and quality of life in individuals with MS.
• To compare the efficacy of these interventions against a waiting-list control group.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 69 participants with MS (Expanded Disability Status Score ≤ 6.0).
• Participants were assigned to either a weekly Iyengar yoga group, a stationary bicycle aerobic exercise group, or a waiting-list control group for 6 months.
• Outcome measures included cognitive tests, alertness assessments, mood scales (Profile of Mood States, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), fatigue inventories (Multi-Dimensional Fatigue Inventory), and quality of life surveys (Short Form-36).

Main Results:

• Both yoga and aerobic exercise interventions led to significant improvements in fatigue measures (SF-36 Vitality and MFI general fatigue) compared to the control group.
• No significant effects were observed on primary outcomes of attention or alertness for either intervention.
• No substantial changes in mood were detected in the yoga or exercise groups.

Conclusions:

• A 6-month yoga or aerobic exercise program can effectively reduce fatigue in individuals with MS.
• These exercise interventions do not appear to improve cognitive function in this population.
• Both yoga and aerobic exercise are safe and beneficial complementary therapies for managing fatigue in MS.