Effect of treadmill training on fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) exhibit reduced physical activity, potentially exacerbating fatigue and balance deficits.
• Treadmill training is explored as an intervention to mitigate these symptoms in PwMS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of treadmill training on fatigue and balance in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
• To assess changes in perceived exertion and heart rate following a structured rehabilitation program incorporating treadmill exercise.

Main Methods:

• Thirty PwMS were randomized into a control group (conventional therapy) and an experimental group (conventional therapy + 15 min treadmill training).
• Assessments included Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR), Fatigue Severity Scale, and Berg Balance Scale, conducted pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Baseline RPE was high (15.8) with a moderate HR (107 bpm) in PwMS.
• The experimental group showed a significant decrease in RPE (to 12.8, P=0.04) and a positive effect on HR post-treadmill training.
• No significant improvements were observed in the Fatigue Severity Scale or balance measures for the treadmill training group.

Conclusions:

• PwMS present with high perceived exertion prior to rehabilitation interventions.
• Treadmill training effectively reduced perceived exertion and positively influenced heart rate in PwMS.
• Treadmill training did not demonstrate significant benefits for overall fatigue levels or balance in this cohort of PwMS.