Effectiveness of Aerobic Treadmill Training on Walking Distance in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis with Moderate...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) frequently experience gait disorders, impacting mobility.
• The effectiveness of treadmill training for improving walking distance in PwMS remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a 6-week treadmill training program, targeting the heart rate at the first ventilatory threshold (HR_VT1), on walking distance in PwMS.
• To compare the outcomes of this training program against a control group.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multicenter study involving 46 PwMS with moderate disability, randomized into a training group (TG) and a control group (CG).
• Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was used to determine individual HR_VT1.
• The TG underwent 18 supervised treadmill sessions over 6 weeks at their HR_VT1.
• Key outcome measures included the six-minute walk test (6MWT), Timed 25 foot walk, and patient-reported walking ability, assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks.

Main Results:

• A significant improvement in 6MWT distance was observed in the overall study population (30.6 m; p=0.017).
• The TG reported a significant decrease in the perceived impact of walking difficulties (-6.1 points; p=0.0006).
• No significant correlation was found between HR_VT1 and the heart rate at the end of the 6MWT (HR_6MWT).

Conclusions:

• Aerobic treadmill training at HR_VT1 is an effective intervention for enhancing walking distance in PwMS.
• This training approach also leads to a reduction in the subjective experience of walking difficulties for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.