High-intensity resistance training in PwMS experiencing fatigue - effects on functioning, wellbeing and inflammatory biological markers.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease in the central nervous system. One of the most common and disabling symptom is fatigue. In persons with MS, fatigue is associated with activity limitations, participation restrictions and reduced health-related quality of life. MS-fatigue might be related directly to the disease, where increased levels of inflammatory biological markers (cytokines) contribute. Resistance training might have direct effects on the MS disease by modulating cytokine levels, where a higher training-intensity is thought to have a more profound effect. There are, however, a lack of high-quality studies on effects of high-intensity resistance training in persons with MS who suffer from MS-fatigue.

Aim

To evaluate the effects of high-intensity resistance training on functioning, wellbeing/health-related quality of life and inflammatory biological markers in persons with MS-fatigue

Method

A randomized controlled trial was performed where 71 persons with moderate-to-severe MS-fatigue were randomly assigned to training once or twice a week. The training consisted of a 12-week high-intensity resistance training programme supervised by physiotherapist. Data was collected before and immediately after the training period. By use of questionnaires and analyses of inflammatory markers in blood, we evaluated if the intervention led to decreased fatigue (primary outcome), improved functioning, better health-related quality of life and had an anti-inflammatory effect, and if there was a difference related to training frequency.

Results

High-intensity resistance training once as well as twice a week led to decreased fatigue, improved functioning and health-related quality of life, and an upregulation of various inflammatory protein markers.

Significance

The result is directly beneficial for persons with MS-fatigue in form of clinical treatment guidelines. Furthermore, the training can easily be implemented in both healthcare and preventive health care.

Principal Investigator