Impact of a 10-Week Individualized Exercise Program on Physical Function and Fatigue of People with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Research has found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who engage in exercise programs experience improvements in physical and psychological health, resulting in enhanced quality of life. These studies have involved structured exercise protocols, but few have examined the effects of an individualized exercise program allowing for peer socialization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 10-week individualized exercise program offering opportunities to socialize with peers on fatigue and physical functioning in people with MS. Thirteen individuals with a physician diagnosis of MS were enrolled in a 10-week exercise program at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. Eleven participants (9 female, 2 male; mean ± SD age, 55.0 ± 7.06 years) completed the study. The following qualitative and quantitative measures were used for evaluation before and after the exercise program: Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Timed 10-Meter Walk (T10MW) test, functional reach test, and single-leg stance (SLS) test. Statistically significant differences were found for the TUG (P = .005), T10MW (P = .014), and MFIS physical functioning subscore (P = .039). The results showed significant increases in gait speed and mobility as well as decreased impact of fatigue on physical functioning after the 10-week exercise program.