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Systematically developed pilot randomized controlled trial of exercise and cognition in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Neurocase
October 1, 2016
Brian M Sandroff et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether progressive treadmill walking exercise training improves cognition, walking performance, and cardiorespiratory fitness in fully ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Results Summary

The study found large intervention effects on cognitive processing speed, walking performance, and cardiorespiratory fitness, with improved fitness potentially linked to better cognitive processing speed.

Population

Fully ambulatory females with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Effective Dosage

12 weeks of supervised, progressive treadmill walking exercise training (specific frequency and intensity not detailed in the abstract).

Duration

12 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
progressive treadmill walking exercise training intervention
increase
cognitive processing speed (CPS)
fully ambulatory persons with MS
d = 0.95
large intervention effects
#1
progressive treadmill walking exercise training intervention
increase
walking performance
fully ambulatory persons with MS
d = 0.76
large intervention effects
#2
progressive treadmill walking exercise training intervention
increase
cardiorespiratory fitness
fully ambulatory persons with MS
d > 1.08
large intervention effects
#3
progressive treadmill walking exercise training intervention
increase
change in cognitive processing speed (CPS)
fully ambulatory persons with MS
r = .60
significantly associated
#4
progressive treadmill walking exercise training intervention
no change
change in walking performance
fully ambulatory persons with MS
-
not associated
#5
Abstract

Cognitive impairment is common and debilitating among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and might be managed with exercise training. The present pilot study adopted a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) design and is the first to examine the effect of a systematically developed, progressive treadmill walking exercise training intervention on cognition among fully ambulatory persons with MS. Ten fully ambulatory females with MS were randomly assigned into exercise training intervention or waitlist control conditions. The intervention condition involved 12 weeks of supervised, progressive chronic treadmill walking exercise training. Participants underwent measures of cognition (i.e., cognitive processing speed (CPS), executive function), walking performance, and cardiorespiratory fitness before and after the 12-week period; baseline and follow-up assessments were performed by blinded assessors. Overall, there were large intervention effects on CPS (d = 0.95), walking performance (d = 0.76), and cardiorespiratory fitness (d > 1.08). The change in cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly associated with change in CPS (r = .60), but not walking performance. This small pilot RCT provides preliminary proof-of-concept data supporting progressive treadmill walking exercise training for potentially improving CPS, walking performance, and cardiorespiratory fitness in fully ambulatory persons with MS, and that improved fitness might be a possible mechanism for improved CPS.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultCardiorespiratory FitnessCognition DisordersDisability EvaluationExecutive FunctionExercise TestExercise TherapyFemaleHumansMiddle AgedMultiple SclerosisOutcome Assessment, Health CarePilot ProjectsProspective StudiesSingle-Blind MethodStatistics as TopicWalking
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations47
Citations/Year5.2
Relative Citation Ratio2.70
NIH Percentile82.7%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.90
Normalized Score0.69
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