The Practice of Sport in Multiple Sclerosis: Update

Is Resistance Training an Option to Improve Functionality and Muscle Strength in Middle-Aged People with Multiple Sclerosis? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Currently, it is essential to adopt physical therapy strategies, such as resistance training, to enhance muscle strength and gait in middle-aged individuals (ages 45-65) suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. This is crucial in combating the typical symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases associated with functional loss. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of resistance training interventions on walking and muscle strength in middle-aged people with Multiple Sclerosis. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted by searching specific keywords in the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. For inclusion, studies had to incorporate resistance training as a primary or significant component of the overall intervention for middle-aged patients with MS. Out of the 3675 articles identified, 12 randomized clinical trials met the criteria for inclusion in the review, with resistance training being a consistent feature in all of them. Results: Muscle strength and gait were evaluated as the main variables, with fatigue and the quality of life as secondary variables. This review reveals that resistance training significantly improves muscle strength. Resistance training achieves modest and non-significant improvements in gait. Notably, studies combining resistance training with motor control exercises achieve results of greater clinical significance in terms of gait. However, resistance training yields variable positive effects on perceived fatigue and the quality of life. Conclusion: Resistance training is useful for improving muscle strength; however, walking needs to be combined with motor control training.

The effect of distance nurse-led fatigue management on fatigue, sleep quality, and self-efficacy in patients with multiple sclerosis: a quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is one of the most common problems in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and has adverse effects on their sleep status and self-efficacy. This study aimed to determine the effect of distance nurse-led fatigue management on fatigue, sleep quality, and self-efficacy in patients with MS.

METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was performed on 60 patients with MS in Arak, Iran. Subjects were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received eight sessions of nurse-led fatigue management training through the Skyroom platform. The control group received only the usual programs. Data were collected before and two months after the intervention using the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale. The significance level in this study was determined 0.05.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the mean score of fatigue severity in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (2.52 ± 0.40 vs 5.65 ± 0.52) (P < 0.001). Also, after the intervention, the mean score of self-efficacy in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (49.37 ± 3.25 vs 24.43 ± 2.52) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, after the intervention the mean score of sleep quality was lower in intervention group (11.92 ± 2.01) than the control group (15.46 ± 1.40) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Distance nurse-led fatigue management improved fatigue, sleep quality, and self-efficacy in patients with MS. We recommend the use of these courses as an important step toward improving fatigue, sleep quality, and self-efficacy among these patients.

The effect of telenursing education of self-care on health-promoting behaviors in patients with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A clinical trial study

INTRODUCTION

Multiple sclerosis is associated with decrease in health-promoting behaviors (HPBs) and require appropriate nursing interventions. Telenursing can play an important role in education of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in which face-to-face education is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of self-care education with telenursing approach on HPBs in patients with MS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this clinical trial, 68 patients with MS were selected using simple random sampling from Jahrom MS Society and randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 34) and control (n = 34) groups. In the intervention group, educational sessions were held three days a week for six weeks. Data were collected using demographic information and Walker's Health-Promoting Lifestyle questionnaires before and immediately after the intervention. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests using SPSS software (Ver. 21).

RESULTS

Based on the findings, immediately after the intervention, the mean score of HPBs was significantly higher (p = 0.005) in the intervention group (145.38 ± 26.66) than the control group (129.18 ± 22.35). The means of nutrition, exercise, health responsibility, and stress management were significantly different between the intervention and control groups immediately after the intervention (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

results this study indicated that self-care education with telenursing approach was effective on HPBs in patients with MS. It can be beneficial to employ as an educative-supportive approach in MS patients.

The Effect of Adaptive Sports on Individuals with Acquired Neurological Disabilities and Its Role in Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

The aims of this systematic review were to report on the feasibility of adaptive sports for individuals with acquired central neurological lesion; to analyze the effects of this approach according to the domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Health and Disability (ICF); and to emit guiding points for future research. Two authors searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Pedro, and SPORTdiscus for eligible trials. Data concerning demographics, outcome measures, results, and conclusions were extracted, and a qualitative synthesis was performed. Adaptive sports seem to be a feasible, efficient, and cost-effective complement to conventional rehabilitation. Significant effects were found on all domains of the ICF, except "environmental factors." Key factors, such as intervention volume, intensity, and type, play a determining role. This review is the first to expose the beneficial effects of adaptive sports practice among individuals with neurological lesions by relying on prospective evidence.

What is the best way to keep walking and moving around for individuals with Machado-Joseph disease? A scoping review through the lens of Aboriginal families with Machado-Joseph disease in the Top End of Australia

OBJECTIVES

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is the most common spinocerebellar ataxia worldwide. Prevalence is highest in affected remote Aboriginal communities of the Top End of Australia. Aboriginal families with MJD from Groote Eylandt believe 'staying strong on the inside and outside' works best to keep them walking and moving around, in accordance with six key domains that form the 'Staying Strong' Framework. The aim of this current study was to review the literature to: (1) map the range of interventions/strategies that have been explored to promote walking and moving around (functional mobility) for individuals with MJD and; (2) align these interventions to the 'Staying Strong' Framework described by Aboriginal families with MJD.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

Searches were conducted in July 2018 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Cochrane Databases.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Peer-reviewed studies that (1) included adolescents/adults with MJD, (2) explored the effects of any intervention on mobility and (3) included a measure of mobility, function and/or ataxia were included in the review.

RESULTS

Thirty studies were included. Few studies involved participants with MJD alone (12/30). Most studies explored interventions that aligned with two 'Staying Strong' Framework domains, 'exercising your body' (n=13) and 'searching for good medicine' (n=17). Few studies aligned with the domains having 'something important to do' (n=2) or 'keeping yourself happy' (n=2). No studies aligned with the domains 'going country' or 'families helping each other'.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence for interventions to promote mobility that align with the 'Staying Strong' Framework were focused on staying strong on the outside (physically) with little reflection on staying strong on the inside (emotionally, mentally and spiritually). Findings suggest future research is required to investigate the benefits of lifestyle activity programmes that address both physical and psychosocial well-being for families with MJD.

Prolonged cortical silent period is related to poor fitness and fatigue, but not tumor necrosis factor, in Multiple Sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Poor fitness among people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) aggravates disease symptoms. Whether low fitness levels accompany brain functioning changes is unknown.

METHODS

MS patients (n = 82) completed a graded maximal exercise test, blood was drawn, and transcranial magnetic stimulation determined resting and active motor thresholds, motor evoked potential latency, and cortical silent period (CSP).

RESULTS

Sixty-two percent of participants had fitness levels ranked below 10th percentile. Fitness was not associated with disability measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Regression analyses revealed that, cardiorespiratory fitness, when controlling for disease demographics, contributed 23.7% (p < 0.001) to the model explaining variance in CSP. Regression analysis using cardiorespiratory fitness and CSP as predictors showed that CSP alone explained 19.9% of variance in subjective fatigue (p = 0.002). Tumor necrosis factor was not associated with any variable.

CONCLUSION

Low fitness was associated with longer CSP in MS. Longer CSP was, in turn, related to greater MS fatigue.

SIGNIFICANCE

MS patients had extremely low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness. Poor fitness predicted longer CSP, a marker of greater intracortical inhibition, which was linked to MS fatigue. Future research should examine whether aerobic training could shorten CSP and potentially lessen inhibition of cortical networks.