Nordic walking for people with relapsing-remittent multiple sclerosis: A case series study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) significantly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL) through fatigue, impaired gait, and reduced functional mobility.
• There is a need for accessible, low-cost exercise interventions to mitigate these MS-related symptoms.
• Nordic Walking (NW) presents a potential rehabilitation strategy for MS, yet its efficacy remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a 12-week Nordic Walking (NW) program on self-perceived fatigue, functional mobility, physical fitness, and QoL in individuals with mild relapsing-remitting MS.
• To provide preliminary data on the feasibility and effectiveness of NW as a rehabilitation tool for MS.

Main Methods:

• A case series study design with multiple assessments was employed.
• Participants underwent a 12-week Nordic Walking (NW) program.
• Outcomes were measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Timed up and Go (TUG) test, 6-Minute Walk test (6MWT), and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29).

Main Results:

• Only five out of 14 participants completed the study, indicating low adherence.
• The NW intervention showed no significant clinical impact on fatigue or QoL.
• Positive trends in functional mobility and physical fitness were observed, with clinically important changes noted in functional mobility for three participants.

Conclusions:

• A 12-week Nordic Walking (NW) program demonstrated limited feasibility and impact on functional levels in mild MS.
• While some participants showed benefits, low adherence suggests a need for modified program delivery.
• Future research should investigate NW in different settings (e.g., outdoors) and incorporate motivational strategies to enhance participation and outcomes.