A pilot study of the effects of running training on visuospatial memory in MS: A stronger functional embedding of the hippocampus in the default-mode network?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Endurance exercise can improve memory function in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), but the effects on hippocampal functioning are currently unknown. We investigated the effects of a running intervention on memory and hippocampal functional connectivity in pwMS. METHODS/RESULTS: Memory and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected in a running intervention (n = 15) and waitlist group (n = 14). Visuospatial memory improvement was correlated to increased connectivity between the hippocampus and the default-mode network (DMN) in the intervention group only. CONCLUSION: As a result of endurance exercise, improvements in visuospatial memory may be mediated by a stronger functional embedding of the hippocampus in the DMN.

Exercise and lifestyle physical activity recommendations for people with multiple sclerosis throughout the disease course.

OBJECTIVES: To provide clinicians who treat multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with evidence-based or expert opinion-based recommendations for promoting exercise and lifestyle physical activity across disability levels. METHODS: The National MS Society ("Society") convened clinical and research experts in the fields of MS, exercise, rehabilitation, and physical activity to (1) reach consensus on optimal exercise and lifestyle physical activity recommendations for individuals with MS at disability levels 0-9.0 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and (2) identify and address barriers/facilitators for participation. RECOMMENDATIONS: Based on current evidence and expert opinion, the Society makes the following recommendations, endorsed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers:Healthcare providers should endorse and promote the benefits/safety of exercise and lifestyle physical activity for every person with MS.Early evaluation by a physical or occupational therapist or exercise or sport scientist, experienced in MS (hereafter referred to as "specialists"), is recommended to establish an individualized exercise and/or lifestyle physical activity plan.Taking into account comorbidities and symptom fluctuations, healthcare providers should encourage ⩾150 min/week of exercise and/or ⩾150 min/week of lifestyle physical activity.Progress toward these targets should be gradual, based on the person's abilities, preferences, and safety.If disability increases and exercise/physical activity becomes more challenging, referrals to specialists are essential to ensure safe and appropriate prescriptions.When physical mobility is very limited, exercise should be facilitated by a trained assistant.

Moving exercise research in multiple sclerosis forward (the MoXFo initiative): Developing consensus statements for research.

Exercise as a subset of physical activity is a cornerstone in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) based on its pleotropic effects. There is an exponential increase in the quantity of research on exercise in MS, yet a number of barriers associated with study content and quality hamper rapid progress in the field. To address these barriers and accelerate discovery, a new international partnership of MS-related experts in exercise has emerged with the goal of advancing the research agenda. As a first step, the expert panel met in May 2018 and identified the most urgent areas for moving the field forward, and discussed the framework for such a process. This led to identification of five themes, namely "Definitions and terminology," "Study methodology," "Reporting and outcomes," "Adherence to exercise," and "Mechanisms of action." Based on the identified themes, five expert groups have been formed, that will further (a) outline the challenges per theme and (b) provide recommendations for moving forward. We aim to involve and collaborate with people with MS/MS organizations (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) and European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP)) in all of these five themes. The generation of this thematic framework with multi-expert perspectives can bolster the quality and scope of exercise studies in MS that may ultimately improve the daily lives of people with MS.

Effects of an individual 12-week community-located "start-to-run" program on physical capacity, walking, fatigue, cognitive function, brain volumes, and structures in persons with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy studies in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) primarily focused on motor outcomes in mid disease stage, while cognitive function and neural correlates were only limitedly addressed. OBJECTIVES: This pragmatic randomized controlled study investigated the effects of a remotely supervised community-located "start-to-run" program on physical and cognitive function, fatigue, quality of life, brain volume, and connectivity. METHOD: In all, 42 pwMS were randomized to either experimental (EXP) or waiting list control (WLC) group. The EXP group received individualized training instructions during 12 weeks (3×/week), to be performed in their community aiming to participate in a running event. Measures were physical (VO2max, sit-to-stand test, Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12)) and cognitive function (Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery (BRB), Paced Auditory Serial Attention Test (PASAT)), fatigue (Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Function (FSMC)), quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29)), and imaging. Brain volumes and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were quantified using FSL-SIENA/FIRST and FSL-TBSS. RESULTS: In all, 35 pwMS completed the trial. Interaction effects in favor of the EXP group were found for VO2max, sit-to-stand test, MSWS-12, Spatial Recall Test, FSMC, MSIS-29, and pallidum volume. VO2max improved by 1.5 mL/kg/min, MSWS-12 by 4, FSMC by 11, and MSIS-29 by 14 points. The Spatial Recall Test improved by more than 10%. CONCLUSION: Community-located run training improved aerobic capacity, functional mobility, visuospatial memory, fatigue, and quality of life and pallidum volume in pwMS.

The organisation of physiotherapy for people with multiple sclerosis across Europe: a multicentre questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the organisational set-up of physiotherapy services across different countries is increasingly important as clinicians around the world use evidence to improve their practice. This also has to be taken into consideration when multi-centre international clinical trials are conducted. This survey aimed to systematically describe organisational aspects of physiotherapy services for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) across Europe. METHODS: Representatives from 72 rehabilitation facilities within 23 European countries completed an online web-based questionnaire survey between 2013 and 2014. Countries were categorised according to four European regions (defined by United Nations Statistics). Similarities and differences between regions were examined. RESULTS: Most participating centres specialized in rehabilitation (82 %) and neurology (60 %), with only 38 % specialising in MS. Of these, the Western based Specialist MS centres were predominately based on outpatient services (median MS inpatient ratio 0.14), whilst the Eastern based European services were mostly inpatient in nature (median MS inpatient ratio 0.5). In almost all participating countries, medical doctors - specialists in neurology (60 %) and in rehabilitation (64 %) - were responsible for referral to/prescription of physiotherapy. The most frequent reason for referral to/prescription of physiotherapy was the worsening of symptoms (78 % of centres). Physiotherapists were the most common members of the rehabilitation team; comprising 49 % of the team in Eastern countries compared to approximately 30 % in the rest of Europe. Teamwork was commonly adopted; 86 % of centres based in Western countries utilised the interdisciplinary model, whilst the multidisciplinary model was utilised in Eastern based countries (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: This survey is the first to provide data about organisational aspects of physiotherapy for people with MS across Europe. Overall, care in key organisational aspects of service provision is broadly similar across regions, although some variations, for example the models of teamwork utilised, are apparent. Organisational framework specifics should be considered anytime a multi-centre study is conducted and results from such studies are applied.

Effects of Peripheral Cooling on Upper Limb Tremor Severity and Functional Capacity in Persons with MS.

Upper limb intention tremor in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) affects the ability to perform activities of daily life and is difficult to treat. The study investigated the effect of peripheral upper limb cooling on tremor severity and functional performance in MS patients with intention tremor. In experiment 1, 17 patients underwent two 15 min cooling conditions for the forearm (cold pack and cryomanchet) and one control condition. In experiment 2, 22 patients underwent whole arm cooling for 15 min using multiple cold packs. In both experiments, patients were tested at four time points (pre- and post-0, -25 and -50 min cooling) on unilateral tasks of the Test Evaluant les Membres supérieurs des Personnes Agées (TEMPA), Fahn's tremor rating scale (FTRS), Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT). In experiment 1, the mean FTRS ranged from 13.2 to 14.1 across conditions. A two-way ANOVA showed mainly time effects, showing that cooling the forearm significantly reduced the FTRS, the performance on the NHPT, and three out of four items of the TEMPA, mostly independent of the cooling modality. In experiment 2, the mean FTRS was 13.1. A repeated measures ANOVA showed that cooling the whole arm reduced the FTRS and time needed to execute two out of four items of the TEMPA. These effects occurred immediately after cooling lasting at least 25 min. Cooling the whole upper limb led to a clinically noticeable effect on tremor severity and improved functional performance, which was pronounced during the first half-hour after cooling.

Effects of 3 weeks' whole body vibration training on muscle strength and functional mobility in hospitalized persons with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) is effective for improving muscle strength and functional mobility. OBJECTIVE: To investigate, in MS patients attending an in-patient rehabilitation program, the additional effects of a 3-week exercise program, performed on a whole body vibration platform, on muscle strength and functionality. METHODS: Median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of participating patients was 5.5. This randomized controlled trial differentiated a MS control group (n = 17) and two exercise groups performing exercises on a vibration platform (WBV-full group, n = 20) and on the platform additionally covered by a damping mat (WBV-light group, n = 18). Exercise groups performed, during 10 training sessions, six static and dynamic exercises standing on a platform vibrating at high frequency and low amplitude. Isometric muscle strength of quadriceps, hamstrings, tibialis anterior and gluteus medius was measured with a hand-held dynamometer. Functional mobility was measured with Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 3-minute walk test and Timed Get up and Go test. RESULTS: Eight drop-outs occurred in the exercise groups (WBV-full = 4, WBV-light = 4), but were unrelated to WBV as type of intervention. Across groups, significant time effects were found for all muscle groups. For maximal quadriceps and hamstrings muscle strength, interaction effects were found with post-hoc tests indicating exercise group-significant improvements in the WBV-full group only. Significant time effects were found for all functional tests. Improvements on the BBS and 3-minute walk test were larger in training than in control groups, but no significant interactions were found. CONCLUSIONS: A 3-week exercise program on a vibration plate significantly improved muscle strength, but not functionality, in persons with MS.

Periodized versus classic exercise therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Periodizing exercise interventions in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) shows good high intensity exercise training adherence. Whether this approach induces comparable training adaptations with respect to exercise capacity, body composition and muscle strength compared to conventional, linear progressive training programs however is not known. METHODS: Thirty-one persons with MS (all phenotypes, mean EDSS 2.3±1.3) were randomized into a twelve-week periodized (MSPER, n=17) or a classic endurance (MSCLA, n=14) training program. At baseline (PRE), exercise capacity (maximal exercise test, VO2max), body composition (DEXA) and muscle strength (Biodex®) were assessed. Classic, moderate intensity endurance training (60-80% HRmax, 5 training sessions/2w, 60min/session) was performed on a stationary bicycle. Periodized exercise included 4 recurrent 3-week cycles of alternated endurance training (week 1: endurance training as described above), high intense exercise (week 2: 3 sessions/w, 3 × 20s all-out sprints, 10min/session) and recovery weeks (week 3: one sprint session as described above). POST measurements were performed similar to baseline. Total exercise volume of both programs was expressed as total peak-effort training minutes. RESULTS: For MSCLA, total exercise volume included 1728 total peak-effort training minutes, whereas MSPER included only 736. Despite this substantially reduced training volume, twelve weeks of periodized training significantly (p<0.05) improved VO2max (+14%, p=0.001), workload (+20%) and time until exhaustion (+25%). Classic training significantly (p<0.05) improved workload (+10%) and time until exhaustion (+17%), but not VO2max (+5%, p=0.131). Pre-post improvements for VO2max were significantly higher in MSPER compared to MSCLA (p=0.046). CONCLUSION: These data show that despite substantially lower training time (57% less peak-effort training minutes), 12 weeks of periodized exercise training in persons with MS seems to induce larger improvements in parameters of exercise capacity compared to classic endurance training. We therefore recommend to further investigate the effect of training periodization on various functional rehabilitation measures in MS.

Effects of a 10-week multimodal dance and art intervention program leading to a public performance in persons with multiple sclerosis - A controlled pilot-trial.

BACKGROUND: Dance therapy is increasingly reported in neurological diseases for improving several motor and cognitive functions, but was mostly studied in partner dance. No individual choreo-based dance program has ever been reported in MS. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this pilot study is to investigate effects of a ten-week choreo-based dance intervention on different impairments in MS. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen participants with MS were allocated to a dance group (DG) or an art group (AG) for a ten-week intervention program, with a public live performance at the end of the intervention. METHODS: The DG received choreo-based dance courses twice a week for 90 min, while the active control AG weekly contributed to the production by painting, music, spoken word and photo- or videography. Measurements for fatigue and fatigability, physical capacity and coordination, sensory function, cognitive capacity, quality of life and dual task performance took place before and after the intervention. Differences were analysed with Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. RESULTS: Both groups improved significantly on executive cognitive performance during dual task and fatigue. Only the DG improved significantly on functional lower limb strength, hand function, coordination, self-reported balance and walking, and showed a trend towards improving on cognition (PASAT). The AG showed significant improvements in on cognitive function (SDMT). CONCLUSION: A ten-week multimodal dance intervention has positive effects on impact of fatigue, physical capacity and coordination, and cognitive performance during a dual task. Larger samples, follow-up measurements and research in different disability groups is recommended.

Periodized home-based training: A new strategy to improve high intensity exercise therapy adherence in mildly affected patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Although high intensity exercise therapy (HIT) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) induces substantial effects, longer term compliance to such a training program is not evident. When embedded in a periodized, home-based training strategy, high intensity exercise therapy adherence may improve. This is explored first in mildly affected persons with MS. METHODS: Exercise capacity (maximal exercise test) and body composition (DEXA) of healthy controls (n = 22) and persons with MS (n = 23, EDSS: 1.9 ±â€¯1.1) were assessed at baseline (PRE). Next and within the context of an MS awareness project (climbing the Mont Ventoux, France), all participants were enrolled in a 6 m home-based periodized HIT oriented cycling program with remote (Polar® M200 activity tracker) supervision. Hereafter, POST measurements were performed similar to baseline. RESULTS: Six months of periodized and home-based HIT oriented training induced improvements in body weight (-3%, p = 0.008), BMI (-3%, p = 0.01), total mass (-2%, p = 0.023), VO2max (+ 5%, p = 0.016), workload (+ 11%, p = 0.001), time until exhaustion (+ 14%, p = 0.001), recovery heart rate (+ 4%, p = 0.04), lactate peak (+ 16%, p = 0.03) and RER (+ 4%, p = 0.04) in MS. Furthermore, all persons with MS safely reached the top of the Mont Ventoux, except for two. CONCLUSION: The applied 6 m periodized, home-based and HIT-oriented cycling program provided good therapy adherence with similar improvements in exercise capacity compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, this exercise regimen trained mildly-affected persons with MS adequately to climb the Mont Ventoux.

Walking endurance and perceived symptom severity after a single maximal exercise test in persons with mild disability because of multiple sclerosis.

People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) are less physically active compared with the general population. This might also be because of the perception of temporary worsening of symptoms during physical activity. Forty-two PwMS with a mild level of disability underwent a maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. Fifteen minutes before and 15 and 75 min after the maximal exercise test, the 6-minute walking test was conducted and the rate of perceived exertion was recorded. Twice before and three times after the maximal exercise test, participants rated the symptom inventory, including symptom domains of general fatigue, muscle fatigue, balance, gait pattern, muscle weakness, spasticity, pain, sensory disturbance, dizziness, and visual impairment. The visual analogue scale was used to rate the perceived symptoms from 0 (no intensity) to 10 (maximal intensity). The 6-minute walking test distance increased significantly over time, whereas the rate of perceived exertion increased temporarily after the maximal exercise test. Immediately after the maximal exercise test, significant temporary increases were found in balance, gait pattern, muscle weakness, and visual impairment. General and muscle fatigue were elevated, compared with the baseline, till 15 and 75 min after the maximal exercise test, respectively. A short-term impact of a single maximal exercise test was considered as the temporary worsening of perceived symptoms, especially (muscle) fatigue and the gait pattern, in PwMS with a mild level of disability. However, a recovery was observed after 75 min. Walking endurance was not affected by the maximal exercise test.

Physiotherapeutic interventions in multiple sclerosis across Europe: Regions and other factors that matter.

BACKGROUND: A wide variety of interventions exists in physical therapy (PT), but knowledge about their use across different geographical regions is limited. This study investigated the use of PT interventions in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) across Europe. It aimed to determine whether regions differ in applying interventions, and explore whether factors other than regions play a role in their use. METHODS: In an online cross-sectional survey, 212 respondents from 115 European workplaces providing PT services to people with MS representing 26 countries (four European regions) participated. Cluster analysis, Pearson Chi-squared test and a Poisson regression model were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Thirteen of 45 listed PT interventions were used by more than 75% of centers, while nine interventions were used by less than 25%. For 12 interventions, regions differed markedly in their use. Cluster analysis of centers identified four clusters similar in their intervention use. Cluster assignment did not fully align with regions. While center region was important, center size, number and gender of physical therapists working in the center, and time since qualification also played a role. Cluster analysis exploring the use of the interventions provided the basis for a categorization of PT interventions in line with their primary focus: 1. Physical activity (fitness/endurance/resistance) training; 2. Neuroproprioceptive "facilitation/inhibition"; 3. Motor/skill acquisition (individualized therapy led); 4. Technology based interventions. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this is the first study that has explored this topic in MS. The results broaden our understanding of the different PT interventions used in MS, as well as the context of their use.

"How to conquer a mountain with multiple sclerosis". How a climbing expedition to Machu Picchu affects the way people with multiple sclerosis experience their body and identity: a phenomenological analysis.

BACKGROUND: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently complain of chronic or fluctuating fatigue, sometimes accompanied by pain. From a phenomenological point of view, both fatigue and pain are seen as aspects of suffering which adversely affect the physical, psychological, social and even existential dimensions of the individual life. OBJECTIVE: The present study discusses changes in identity and body awareness in people with MS who completed a 5-d trekking to Machu Picchu in Peru in 2012, after having completed a physical training schedule for several months. METHOD AND DESIGN: All nine participants took part in a focus group organized after the trip. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to gain insight in their experiences and to refine pre-existing theoretical understanding of body awareness and identity. RESULTS: Our phenomenological analysis clarified how aspects of the participants' identity and body experience before, during and after the journey influenced major daily themes as "body", "lived body", "behaviour" and "relationship" and how this contributed to a meaningful experience. When participants describe how they started looking at their own identity more consciously after being watched through the others' eyes, this resulted in a joyful transcending of their bodily power and endurance. In general, our data suggest that the more extreme, positive lived body experiences during the expedition were necessary for optimizing daily "routine" functioning. CONCLUSION: Participating in Machu Picchu expedition appeared to have a deep and profound effect on body awareness and identity. Participants experienced their body once again as theirs, owning it and above all, allowing it to be a source of strength, joy and meaningfulness. While MS determined their lives prior to the journey, they now could look at MS as a part of what they are, without totally being absorbed in it. So being a patient with MS before, resulted in merely having MS after the climb. Implications for Rehabilitation Patients experience illness as a disruption of their previous life. A phenomenological approach deals with the lived experience and the concept of body awareness, the meaningful experience of living in the world through the body. This approach complements biomedical viewpoints as providing different. Suffering from a chronic and unpredictable disease like multiple sclerosis (MS) can disturb the implicit and harmonious relation between the body, the mind and the world, already at an early stage. Factors including physical training, professional guidance, social support, becoming a role model and completing a unique expedition outside of national and natural comfort borders may contribute to changes in body and identity experience.

Impact of a 5-day expedition to machu picchu on persons with multiple sclerosis.

Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are less physically active than nondiseased persons and often report low self-efficacy levels. In the context of an awareness project to promote physical activity and participation in MS, we addressed the impact of training for and participation in a unique expedition. Medical events, relapses, and self-reported neurological worsening were followed from 6 months before and up to 4 months afterwards. Validated patient-reported outcome measures were used to assess fatigue, self-efficacy in exercising, walking abilities, and illness perception. Nine participants completed the training, expedition, and observational study. Minor events, relapses, and/or neurological worsening were reported in six participants. The three participants with mild disability and no cardiovascular risk factors or comorbidities were free of medical and neurological events. We found a significant reduction of motor fatigue at last when compared with the first assessment. The reduction tended to be more evident in participants with mild disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) <4 at baseline). Cognitive fatigue, self-efficacy, and self-reported walking abilities did not change significantly. Illness perceptions tended to be reduced over time in the domains of consequences, identity, and concerns. Overall, no major adverse events occurred.

Effects of an 1-day education program on physical functioning, activity and quality of life in community living persons with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Persons with MS (pwMS) in the community show reduced physical activity while studies demonstrated beneficial effects of exercise therapy in supervised settings. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated, in pwMS living in the community, the effects of a 1-day education program about exercises and sports, on physical activity behavior and related outcome measures as self-efficacy, perceived walking ability, fatigue, perceived impact of MS and quality of life. METHODS: PwMS attended an education day with theoretical and practical sessions that was organized by the Flemish MS Society and professional exercise experts. Forty-two participants immediately completed questionnaires as well as after three and six months. Overall disability and physical activity level were measured using PDSS (patient determined disease steps) and PASIPD (Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities) respectively. Other outcomes were the ESES, MSWS-12, MFIS, MSIS-29 and SF-36. Analyses of variance were performed in groups distinguished by self-reported disability level (PDDS ≤1; n = 24 and PDSS >1; n = 18). RESULTS: Groups differed significantly for perceived walking ability (PDDS,MSWS-12) and physical related-domains of MSIS-29 and SF-36, but not PASIPD. A trend towards significant group*time interaction effect was found for the PASIPD indicating, at 3 and 6 months, increased physical activity in the subgroup PDDS ≤1. For the MSIS-29, a significant time effect was found with reduced impact being largest for the more disabled group at 6 months. No changes were found in other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: An one-day education program had, depending on perceived disability level, some long-standing effects on physical activity and perceived impact of MS.