Effects of walking exercise training on learning and memory and hippocampal neuroimaging outcomes in MS: A targeted, pilot randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether treadmill walking exercise training could improve learning and memory and preserve hippocampal volume in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have impairments in new learning.
Results Summary
The study found moderate-to-large intervention effects on verbal learning and memory and hippocampal volume, suggesting treadmill walking may be beneficial for managing these impairments in MS.
Population
Fully-ambulatory persons with MS-related impairments in new learning (n=11).
Effective Dosage
Not specified (supervised treadmill walking exercise training).
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
treadmill walking exercise training | increase | measures of verbal learning and memory | 11 fully-ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who demonstrated impairments in new learning | ηp² = .20 | moderate-to-large intervention effects | #1 |
treadmill walking exercise training | increase | measures of visuospatial learning and memory | 11 fully-ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who demonstrated impairments in new learning | ηp² = .20 | moderate-to-large intervention effects | #2 |
treadmill walking exercise training | increase | hippocampal volume | 11 fully-ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who demonstrated impairments in new learning | ηp² = .20 | moderate-to-large intervention effects | #3 |
PURPOSE: The current pilot study involved a single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the effects of treadmill walking exercise training compared with an active control condition on learning and memory (L/M) and hippocampal neuroimaging outcomes in 11 fully-ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who demonstrated impairments in new learning. METHODS: The study protocol is registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03319771 (February 2018). Eleven fully-ambulatory persons with MS-related impairments in new learning were randomly assigned into either 12-weeks of supervised, treadmill walking exercise training or 12-weeks of low-intensity resistive exercise (active control condition). Participants underwent neuropsychological tests of L/M and hippocampal neuroimaging before and after the 12-week study period; outcomes were administered by treatment-blinded assessors. RESULTS: There were moderate-to-large intervention effects on measures of verbal L/M (η CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, this study provides initial proof-of-concept data for further examining treadmill walking exercise training as a possible behavioral approach for managing L/M impairment and preserving hippocampal volume as common and debilitating manifestations of MS.