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Devasahayam AJ, Chaves AR, Lasisi WO, Curtis ME, Wadden KP, Kelly LP, Pretty R, Chen A, Wallack EM, Newell CJ, Williams JB, Kenny H, Downer MB, McCarthy J, Moore CS, Ploughman M. Vigorous cool room treadmill training to improve walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis who use ambulatory assistive devices: a feasibility study. BMC Neurol 2020; 20:33. [PMID: 31969132 PMCID: PMC6975092 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-020-1611-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aerobic training has the potential to restore function, stimulate brain repair, and reduce inflammation in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, disability, fatigue, and heat sensitivity are major barriers to exercise for people with MS. We aimed to determine the feasibility of conducting vigorous harness-supported treadmill training in a room cooled to 16 °C (10 weeks; 3times/week) and examine the longer-term effects on markers of function, brain repair, and inflammation among those using ambulatory aids. Methods Ten participants (9 females) aged 29 to 74 years with an Expanded Disability Status Scale ranging from 6 to 7 underwent training (40 to 65% heart rate reserve) starting at 80% self-selected walking speed. Feasibility of conducting vigorous training was assessed using a checklist, which included attendance rates, number of missed appointments, reasons for not attending, adverse events, safety hazards during training, reasons for dropout, tolerance to training load, subjective reporting of symptom worsening during and after exercise, and physiological responses to exercise. Functional outcomes were assessed before, after, and 3 months after training. Walking ability was measured using Timed 25 Foot Walk test and on an instrumented walkway at both fast and self-selected speeds. Fatigue was measured using fatigue/energy/vitality sub-scale of 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey, Fatigue Severity Scale, modified Fatigue Impact Scale. Aerobic fitness (maximal oxygen consumption) was measured using maximal graded exercise test (GXT). Quality-of-life was measured using SF-36 Health Survey. Serum levels of neurotrophin (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and cytokine (interleukin-6) were assessed before and after GXT. Results Eight of the ten participants completed training (attendance rates ≥ 80%). No adverse events were observed. Fast walking speed (cm/s), gait quality (double-support (%)) while walking at self-selected speed, fatigue (modified Fatigue Impact Scale), fitness (maximal workload achieved during GXT), and quality-of-life (physical functioning sub-scale of SF-36) improved significantly after training, and improvements were sustained after 3-months. Improvements in fitness (maximal respiratory exchange ratio and maximal oxygen consumption during GXT) were associated with increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor and decreased interleukin-6. Conclusion Vigorous cool room training is feasible and can potentially improve walking, fatigue, fitness, and quality-of-life among people with moderate to severe MS-related disability. Trial registration The study was approved by the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Research Ethics Board (reference number: 2018.088) on 11/07/2018 prior to the enrollment of first participant (retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04066972. Registered on 26 August 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine J Devasahayam
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Arthur R Chaves
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Wendy O Lasisi
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Marie E Curtis
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Katie P Wadden
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Liam P Kelly
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Ryan Pretty
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Alice Chen
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Wallack
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Caitlin J Newell
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - John B Williams
- Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm H4360, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Hannah Kenny
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Matthew B Downer
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Jason McCarthy
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada
| | - Craig S Moore
- Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm H4360, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Michelle Ploughman
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Rm 400, L.A. Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A 1E5, Canada.
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Davis SL, Jay O, Wilson TE. Thermoregulatory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 157:701-714. [PMID: 30459034 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64074-1.00042-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurologic disorder that disrupts axonal myelin in the central nervous system. Demyelination produces alterations in saltatory conduction, slowed conduction velocity, and a predisposition to conduction block. An estimated 60-80% of MS patients experience temporary worsening of clinical signs and neurologic symptoms with heat exposure (Uhthoff's phenomenon). This heat intolerance in MS is related to the detrimental effects of increased temperature on action potential propagation in demyelinated axons, resulting in conduction slowing and/or block. Additionally, MS may produce impaired neural control of autonomic and endocrine functions. Isolating and interpreting mechanisms responsible for autonomic dysfunction due to MS can be difficult as it may involve sensory impairments, altered neural integration within the central nervous system, impaired effector responses, or combinations of all of these factors. MS lesions occur in areas of the brain responsible for the control and regulation of body temperature and thermoregulatory effector responses, resulting in impaired neural control of sudomotor pathways or neural-induced changes in eccrine sweat glands, as evidenced by observations of reduced sweating responses in MS patients. Although not comprehensive, some evidence exists concerning treatments (cooling, precooling, and pharmacologic) for the MS patient to preserve function and decrease symptom worsening during heat stress. This review focuses on four main themes influencing current understanding of thermoregulatory dysfunction in MS: (1) heat intolerance; (2) central regulation of body temperature; (3) thermoregulatory effector responses; and (4) countermeasures to improve or maintain function during thermal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott L Davis
- Department of Applied Physiology and Wellness, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - Ollie Jay
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Thad E Wilson
- Biomedical Sciences, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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Abstract
Abstract:Background:Damage to the central nervous system by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) leads to multiple symptoms, including weakness, ambulatory dysfunction, visual disturbances and fatigue. Heat can exacerbate the symptoms of MS whereas cooling can provide symptomatic relief. Since the head and neck areas are particularly sensitive to cold and cooling interventions, we investigated the effects of cooling the head and neck for 60 minutes on the symptoms of MS.Methods:We used a double blinded, placebo controlled, cross-over study design to evaluate the effects of head and neck cooling on six heat-sensitive, stable, ambulatory females with MS (Extended Disability Status Scale 2.5-6.5). To isolate the effects of perceived versus physiological cooling, a sham cooling condition was incorporated, where subjects perceived the sensation of being cooled without any actual physiological cooling. Participants visited the clinic three times for 60 minutes of true, sham, or no cooling using a custom head and neck cooling hood, followed by evaluation of ambulation, visual acuity, and muscle strength. Rectal and skin temperature, heart rate, and thermal sensation were measured throughout cooling and testing.Results:Both the true and sham cooling elicited significant sensations of thermal cooling, but only the true cooling condition decreased core temperature by 0.37°C (36.97±0.21 to 36.60±0.23°C). True cooling improved performance in the six minute walk test and the timed up-and-go test but not visual acuity or hand grip strength.Conclusions:Head and neck cooling may be an effective tool in increasing ambulatory capacity in individuals with MS and heat sensitivity.
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Davis SL, Wilson TE, White AT, Frohman EM. Thermoregulation in multiple sclerosis. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2010; 109:1531-7. [PMID: 20671034 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00460.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological disorder that disrupts axonal myelin in the central nervous system. Demyelination produces alterations in saltatory conduction, slowed conduction velocity, and a predisposition to conduction block. An estimated 60-80% of MS patients experience temporary worsening of clinical signs and neurological symptoms with heat exposure. Additionally, MS may produce impaired neural control of autonomic and endocrine functions. This review focuses on five main themes regarding the current understanding of thermoregulatory dysfunction in MS: 1) heat sensitivity; 2) central regulation of body temperature; 3) thermoregulatory effector responses; 4) heat-induced fatigue; and 5) countermeasures to improve or maintain function during thermal stress. Heat sensitivity in MS is related to the detrimental effects of increased temperature on action potential propagation in demyelinated axons, resulting in conduction slowing and/or block, which can be quantitatively characterized using precise measurements of ocular movements. MS lesions can also occur in areas of the brain responsible for the control and regulation of body temperature and thermoregulatory effector responses, resulting in impaired neural control of sudomotor pathways or neural-induced changes in eccrine sweat glands, as evidenced by observations of reduced sweating responses in MS patients. Fatigue during thermal stress is common in MS and results in decreased motor function and increased symptomatology likely due to impairments in central conduction. Although not comprehensive, some evidence exists concerning treatments (cooling, precooling, and pharmacological) for the MS patient to preserve function and decrease symptom worsening during heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott L Davis
- Department of Applied Physiology and Wellness, Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275-0382, USA.
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