Effect of Aerobic Training on Muscle Performance and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background. Compromised muscle performance is common problem in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and subsequently affects activities of daily living and quality of life (QoL). Objective. to investigate the additional effect of short-term aerobic training on both of muscle performance and QoL in patients with MS. Design. Single blinded, parallel randomized controlled trial. Setting. Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt. Participants: 40 patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) were randomly divided into two equal groups; intervention (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. Intervention. Both groups received a therapeutic exercise program of active strengthening and stretching exercises for selected lower limbs muscles. Only intervention group received aerobic training using bicycle ergometer three sessions weekly for eight successive weeks. Outcomes measures: isokinetic dynamometer parameters; total work, power and fatigue index, to evaluate muscle performance. The Short Form health survey (SF-36) was also applied to evaluate the QoL. Results. Intervention group showed a remarkable significant improvement in all of the isokinetic parameters and in several subscales of SF-36 questionnaire as well when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion. adding aerobic training to physical therapy program can be more beneficial in improving muscle performance and quality of life in patients with MS.