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In-Phase Bilateral Upper Limb Exercises Improve Cognitive and Motor Functions in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A
Dimitris Sokratous1,2, Charalambos Costa Charalambous3, Marios Pantzaris4
1Physiotherapy Unit, Neurology Clinics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus.
Brain Sciences
|February 27, 2026
Summary
In-phase bilateral upper limb exercises improved cognitive processing, motor functions, fatigue, and quality of life in progressive multiple sclerosis patients. This exercise type demands less cognitive effort, benefiting individuals with cognitive deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly impairs cognitive and motor functions, diminishing quality of life.
- Cognitive deficits in MS complicate complex goal-directed movements.
- In-phase bilateral exercises, requiring less attentional demand, may mitigate these deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of in-phase bilateral upper limb exercise on cognitive processing in progressive MS.
- To evaluate the effects on motor functions and overall quality of life in progressive MS patients.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week randomized controlled trial involving 20 participants with progressive MS.
- Participants were assigned to either an experimental group (in-phase bilateral exercises) or an active control group (conventional exercises).
- ANOVA was used to analyze changes in information processing speed, motor function, fatigue, and quality of life.
Main Results:
- The experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in information processing speed compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
- Significant improvements were also observed across all secondary outcome measures in the experimental group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- In-phase bilateral exercises offer a promising, low-cognitive-demand intervention for progressive MS.
- This exercise modality is associated with enhanced information processing speed, motor function, reduced fatigue, and improved quality of life in progressive MS.
