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High-intensity resistance training in multiple sclerosis — An exploratory study of effects on immune markers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and on mood, fatigue, health-related quality of life, muscle strength, walking and cognition

2016; Elsevier BV; Volume: 362; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jns.2016.01.063

1878-5883

Marie Kierkegaard, Ingrid E. Lundberg, Tomas Olsson, Sverker Johansson, Sofia Ygberg, Christina H. Opava, Lotta Widén Holmqvist, Fredrik Piehl,

Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies

Background High-intensity resistance training is unexplored in people with multiple sclerosis. Objectives To evaluate effects of high-intensity resistance training on immune markers and on measures of mood, fatigue, health-related quality of life, muscle strength, walking and cognition. Further, to describe participants' opinion and perceived changes of the training. Methods Twenty patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis performed high-intensity resistance training at an intensity of 80% of one-repetition maximum, twice a week for 12 weeks. Blood and optional cerebrospinal fluid samples, and data on secondary outcome measures were collected before and after intervention. A study-specific questionnaire was used for capturing participants' opinion. Results Seventeen participants completed the study. Plasma cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor were significantly decreased post-intervention (p = 0.001). Exploratory cytokine analyses in cerebrospinal fluid (n = 8) did not reveal major changes. Significant and clinically important improvements were found in fatigue (p = 0.001) and health-related quality of life (p = 0.004). Measures of mood (p = 0.002), muscle strength (p ≤ 0.001), walking speed (p = 0.013) and cognition (p = 0.04) were also improved. A majority of participants evaluated the training as very good and perceived changes to the better. Conclusion High-intensity resistance training in persons with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis with low disability had positive effects on peripheral pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, led to clinically relevant improvements in measures of fatigue and health-related quality of life, and was well tolerated. These results provide a basis for a larger randomized trial.