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01-06-2018 | Original Communication

Fatigue, as measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, is a predictor of processing speed improvement induced by exercise in patients with multiple sclerosis: data from a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Giancarlo Coghe, Federica Corona, Elisabetta Marongiu, Giuseppe Fenu, Jessica Frau, Lorena Lorefice, Antonio Crisafulli, Manuela Galli, Alberto Concu, Maria Giovanna Marrosu, Massimiliano Pau, Eleonora Cocco

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 6/2018

Abstract

Background

Few studies have evaluated the impact of physical activity (PA) on cognition and fatigue, and none have considered the effects of PA on the relationship between cognition and fatigue.

Objectives

We evaluated the effect of PA in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) in a 6-month-long single-blind randomized controlled trial. We focused on the impact of exercise on cognition, fatigue, and the relationship between cognition and fatigue.

Methods

We recruited pwMS, who were then randomly assigned 1:1 to either a PA protocol group or a control group (CG). All patients underwent assessments using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis including symbol digit modality test (SDMT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), gait analysis, 6-Minute Walk Test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) at the beginning of the study (T0), at the end of the study (EOS) 24 weeks after T0, and at 24 weeks following the EOS (FU).

Results

A Wilcoxon test revealed a significant effect of exercise in the PA group, but not in the CG. Significant differences between T0 and EOS were found in the spatiotemporal parameters of gait, and performance on the SDMT, TUG, BBS, and MFIS. These differences were also present during the FU period. A regression model revealed that the baseline MFIS score predicted processing speed improvement (R² = 0.65, p < 0.01), as the SDMT T score increased by 0.3 for each one-unit increase in the MFIS score at T0.

Conclusion

PA affects multiple aspects of the pathology in pwMS. Patients with greater fatigue must not be discouraged from exercise, as they may greatly benefit from PA. Specifically, PA was shown to improve information processing speed.

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Title: Fatigue, as measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, is a predictor of processing speed improvement induced by exercise in patients with multiple sclerosis: data from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Giancarlo Coghe
Federica Corona
Elisabetta Marongiu
Giuseppe Fenu
Jessica Frau
Lorena Lorefice
Antonio Crisafulli
Manuela Galli
Alberto Concu
Maria Giovanna Marrosu
Massimiliano Pau
Eleonora Cocco
Publication date: 01-06-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-8836-5

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Fatigue, as measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, is a predictor of processing speed improvement induced by exercise in patients with multiple sclerosis: data from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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