Exercise therapy and multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, incurable neurological disease.
• Current pharmacological treatments effectively reduce relapse rates but show limited impact on disability progression.
• Non-pharmacologic interventions, such as exercise therapy, are crucial for MS rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of exercise therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• To assess the impact of exercise on activities of daily living (ADL) in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of RCTs was conducted using PubMed, searching for studies published between February 2004 and June 2012.
• Inclusion criteria: clinical MS diagnosis (excluding exacerbation) and exercise therapy intervention measured by ADL.
• Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale; 11 high-quality RCTs involving 591 participants were included.

Main Results:

• The review included 11 RCTs with 591 participants (60.6% women), mean age 37.1–54.6 years, and MS duration 5.2–15.9 years.
• Nine of the 11 studies were rated as high methodological quality (PEDro score 7–10).
• Eight studies compared exercise therapy to standard care, two to a waiting list, and one to control treatment.

Conclusions:

• Exercise therapy demonstrates a beneficial effect for patients with multiple sclerosis.
• Exercise therapy is recommended as a valuable component of rehabilitation for individuals with MS.
• This review supports the integration of exercise interventions into comprehensive MS care plans.