Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Apr 7:5:2047.
doi: 10.2340/jrmcc.v5.2047. eCollection 2022.

HIGH-VOLUME AND HIGH-INTENSITY FUNCTIONAL TRAINING IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A PILOT STUDY ON FEASIBILITY AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY

Tom C A Derikx  1 , Ingrid M H Brands  1 , Arne T Goedhart  1 , Wouter H Hoens  1 , Majanka H Heijenbrok-Kal  2   3 , Rita H J G VAN DEN Berg-Emons  2
Affiliations

HIGH-VOLUME AND HIGH-INTENSITY FUNCTIONAL TRAINING IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A PILOT STUDY ON FEASIBILITY AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY

Tom C A Derikx et al. J Rehabil Med Clin Commun. .

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a high-volume and high-intensity functional training programme in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to explore whether functional capacity improves. A further objective was to explore changes in muscle strength and aerobic capacity.

Methods: This pilot study comprised a 12-week intervention, with an 8-week follow-up period. The intervention consisted of 3 weekly 3-h training sessions, comprising functional resistance-, endurance-, and skills training. Feasibility (questionnaire), functional capacity (Timed Up and Go Test, 10-Meter Walk Test, and 6-Minute Walk Test), aerobic capacity (cardiopulmonary exercise test) and muscle strength (1 repetition maximum (RM) leg press) were evaluated.

Results: Seven patients completed the study. Patients attended a mean of 93% of the training sessions. One adverse event was reported, which was not related to the training programme. Patients scored positive or very positive on 86% of the feasibility aspects and scored an overall grade of 8.9 on a scale of 1-10 regarding satisfaction with the training programme. Functional capacity, aerobic capacity, and muscle strength seemed to be improved after the training programme, but the improvements were not always sustained.

Conclusion: This new high-volume and high-intensity functional training programme appeared to be feasible in patients with MS, and may improve their functional capacity, aerobic capacity and muscle strength. A large-scale controlled trial over a longer period of time is required to evaluate the added value of the training programme.

Keywords: exercise therapy; multiple sclerosis; rehabilitation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flowchart.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale; FSS) in individual patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Functional capacity: (a) mobility (Timed Up and Go Test; TUG), (b) walking speed (10-Meter Walk Test; 10MWT), (c) walking endurance (6-Minute Walk Test; 6MWT). Other: (d) aerobic capacity (cardiopulmonary exercise test; CPET), (e) muscle strength (1 repetition maximum (RM) leg press) in individual patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Browne P, Chandraratna D, Angood C, Tremlett H, Baker C, Taylor BV, et al. . Atlas of Multiple Sclerosis 2013: A growing global problem with widespread inequity. Neurology 2014; 83: 1022–1024. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Langeskov-Christensen M, Heine M, Kwakkel G, Dalgas U. Aerobic capacity in persons with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med 2015; 45: 905–923. - PubMed
    1. Wens I, Dalgas U, Vandenabeele F, Krekels M, Grevendonk L, Eijnde BO. Multiple sclerosis affects skeletal muscle characteristics. PLoS One 2014; 9: 108–158. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Heine M, van de Port I, Rietberg MB, van Wegen EE, Kwakkel G. Exercise therapy for fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015: CD009956. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Motl RW. Physical activity and irreversible disability in multiple sclerosis. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2010; 38: 186–191. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources