Aquatic exercise training increases serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is neurotrophic factor for MS pathogenesis. However, the impact of acute exercise on BDNF factor is less clear in patients with MS and no study to date has examined this assumption. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 12-weeks supervised aquatic exercise on serum concentration BDNF, balance, functional exercise capacity, and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. Twenty-eight patients MS (mean age X ¯ ± SD = 37 ± 9 years) were randomly assigned to either aquatic exercise group (EX: n = 13), or the control group (CON: n = 15). The patients Ex group exercised 3 times per week, 30 to 60 minutes per session for 12 weeks and included aerobic exercises, strength, flexibility, balance exercise training and walking activities, and the subjects in CON group were asked to maintain normal daily life pattern for the duration of the study. Balance, functional exercise capacity, fatigue, and BDNF serum concentration were measured at before and after intervention. The results showed that 12 weeks of aquatic exercise increased BDNF and improved balance, functional exercise capacity, and fatigue in the EX group. In CON group, the serum BDNF level slightly decreased, and fatigue level increased significantly after 12 weeks, but balance and functional exercise capacity did not change. Also, there were significantly differences in serum BDNF, balance, functional exercise capacity, and fatigue between Ex and CON groups after intervention ( P < 0.05). The study showed that aquatic exercise more effective than treatment in increase BNDF levels of the subjects with MS. This type of activity is a beneficial training method to maintain functional parameters and also to increase the rate of BDNF in the MS.