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Physical activity and cognitive function in adults with multiple sclerosis: an integrative review
Janet D Morrison1, Lori Mayer2
1a School of Nursing , the University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA.
Disability and Rehabilitation
|October 22, 2016
Summary
Physical activity shows a link to better cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but intervention results are mixed. Structured programs may help stabilize or improve cognition in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Science
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting cognition.
- Physical activity is known to benefit MS patients in areas like balance and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize evidence on the relationship between physical activity and cognitive performance in MS.
- To review physical activity interventions' effects on neurocognitive performance in MS.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of peer-reviewed articles from PubMed, PsychINFO, and SPORTDiscus.
- Quality assessment using NIH tools; exclusion of poor-quality studies.
- Analysis of 19 included studies.
Main Results:
- Nine studies found significant links between physical activity/fitness and cognitive function in MS.
- Ten intervention studies showed mixed results on physical activity's impact on MS cognition.
Conclusions:
- Correlational data suggest a link between physical activity and cognition in MS, but confounding factors exist.
- Intervention evidence for physical activity improving MS cognition is equivocal.
- Structured physical activity may aid cognitive stability or improvement in MS.
