High intensity exercising to combat MS fatigue...very interesting.

[Lazarus]

High-intensity interval ergometer training improves aerobic capacity and fatigue in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Stephan Schmidt1, Marc Wonneberger2 1Gesundheitszentrum St.Johannes, 2DAA Gesundheit und Soziales, Schule für Physiotherapie Gummersbach

Objective: To determine the effects of short-term high intensity interval training (HIIT) on aerobic fitness and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Background: Physical activity has a positive effect on a variety of attendant symptoms associated with MS. Moderate endurance exercise has been preferentially recommended, but the effects of HIIT are largely unknown.

Design/Methods: 40 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and an EDSS of < 3.5 exercised for eight weeks on a bicycle-ergometer three times weekly according to two different protocols (HIIT versus moderate endurance training) in a prospective monocentric, randomized, simple blinded cohort study. Measurements were taken at baseline and after eight weeks of training. Individual aerobic fitness was assessed by steep ramp anaerobic test (SRAT), fatigue by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), depression by the ADS-L questionnaire, a German version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), sleep quality according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and ambulation was measured by the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25-FW) .

Results: 29 patients completed the program. FSS decreased significantly after HIIT (p=0.04) but not after moderate training. Moreover, aerobic fitness increased significantly in the HIIT group (p<0.01). No changes with regard to ADS-L, PQSI and T25FW were detected in both subgroups independent of the presence or absence of fatigue.

Conclusions:
HIIT is a promising time-efficient approach in subjects with MS leading to rapid improvement of aerobic fitness and fatigue.

[agate]

These people weren't so very disabled but it looks as if the results were good for many of them.

I wonder what type of bicycle ergometer was used. It might have been that rather simple gizmo I had for a while but gave away because I didn't think it was helping me much. On the other hand, the much larger and more sophisticated machine used during PT sessions did seem to help.

[Lazarus]

These people weren't so very disabled but it looks as if the results were good for many of them.

I wonder what type of bicycle ergometer was used. It might have been that rather simple gizmo I had for a while but gave away because I didn't think it was helping me much. On the other hand, the much larger and more sophisticated machine used during PT sessions did seem to help.

The post was by Dave Bexfield??sp. who hosts the ACtive Mser site. He is PPMS.

[Sunshine]

It sounds like the results mirror the impact of HIIT on healthy people as well. Seems like many MS people are too disabled to be able to do high interval training?

[Lazarus]

No size fits all but this is good news for many.

[agate]

Another study of high-intensity interval training for people with MS--University of Glasgow. Abstract from PubMed (June 25, 2018):

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Their conclusion:

HIIT appears to be safe and effective in increasing fitness in people with MS and low levels of disability. Further research is required to explore the effectiveness of HIIT in people with progressive MS and in those with higher levels of disability.

They don't say what the "adverse events" were.

[Sunshine]

Great. Now we must feel lazy because we won’t (because we can’t) do HIIT .

It’s like those pics of MS people climbing mountains. Really irks me, those are the outliers in terms of ability to do it.

[Parsi]

One of my high school classmates has a friend who has MS and is in a wheelchair but is VERY active: rockclimbing, kayaking, marathons, you name it. I made a note to myself to stay undercover with my MS.


BUT I have noticed that I feel better after intense session of lawnmoving. I push myself but not to the point of collapse.

[agate]

I'm wondering how kayaking and rockclimbing can be done in a wheelchair but never cease to be amazed at how cleverly things can be done if you're determined enough.

[Sunshine]

A friend knows another more disabled person with MS who cannot do much activity. And here I am surfing. She compared the other one and said she gave up. I corrected her and said no two people with MS are the same. What’s doable for one is not doable for another and has little to do with effort.

It irks me. How about photos of people with MS who push their limits in more realistic ways? Like Agate is doing. That’s heroic!

[agate]

Not heroic, Sunshine--just desperate.