Aerobic training enhances cognition and functional status in depressive multiple sclerosis patients. A case-control study. Pilot study

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease manifested by a wide range of symptoms. Depression is one of the most important problems in individuals with MS. Depressive symptoms are strictly associated with lower quality of their life. Recent studies suggest that aerobic training (AT) alleviates depressive symptoms. Therefore, the aims of this study were to study the effects of aerobic training (AT) on depression, cognition and functional status in 2 groups of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients: with depression syndrome (MS-D) and without depression (MS). Moreover, we analyzed the mean delta values with their confidence intervals and examined the changes in baseline values using covariance analysis. A sample of 31 individuals with MS and 28 MS-D performed 30 minutes of AT using lower-extremity ergometer 3 × 10 min. per day with 60 min. break for 6 weeks. Both groups were matched for age and sex. All examined parameters were assessed before and after the series of AT using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Activity Daily Living Scale (ADL) and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). We analyzed the dropout rate as a measure of feasibility. In both groups, the AT sessions induced a significant improvement in reducing depression (BDI) and cognition impairment (MoCA). However, the changes observed in MS-D patients were significantly greater than those observed in MS patients, especially in the BDI and MoCA. There were no statistically significant correlations of EDSS, MOCCA, BDI, ADL and age or gender. AT appears to be effective easy tool in improving cognition and functional status in patients with MS. This study indicated that aerobic training is feasible and could be beneficial for patients with progressive MS.