summary: A pilot study found that training in long-distance aerobic walking exercise increased the speed of impaired cognitive processing in fully able walking people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants in the intervention condition showed a strong increase in their cognitive processing speed score after 16 weeks, whereas the stretch condition did not show a similar increase.
The results hold promise for individuals with MS who have impaired cognitive processing speed and offer a more comprehensive solution for remote exercise programs.
Key Facts:
- A pilot study suggests that long-distance aerobic walking training can be a promising way to increase the speed of impaired cognitive processing in sedentary people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The study included 25 full outpatient subjects with MS who had been pre-screened for deficiencies in cognitive processing speed, with 19 completing the study as prescribed.
- Participants randomly assigned to 16 weeks of distance aerobic walking training showed a strong increase in their cognitive processing speed, as measured by the Symbolic Number Modality Test (SDMT), relative to participants assigned to the remote control condition. Delivery and support of stretches and range of motion activities.
source: The Kessler Foundation
The results of a pilot study funded by the Kessler Foundation suggest that aerobic distance walking training is a viable and highly promising method for increasing the speed of impaired cognitive processing in fully able walking people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The results of this single-blind randomized controlled trial support the design of a randomized controlled trial in a large sample of people with MS.
The research team followed a group of 25 fully mobile people with MS who were previously screened for deficiencies in cognitive processing speed. 19 Completed studies as prescribed.
The researchers used the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), a widely used neuropsychological test to assess information processing speed in individuals with MS, and the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II) as a widely used test of verbal learning and memory. Assessments were made at baseline and after 16 weeks.
Participants were randomly assigned to 16 weeks of remotely delivered and supported aerobic walking exercise training (intervention condition), or remotely delivered and supported stretching and range of motion activities (control condition).
Participants are provided with a wearable fitness tracker and weekly video consultations with an exercise specialist to ensure proper technique, safety, and adherence to a prescribed exercise regimen.
The results of this study are promising. Participants randomized to the intervention state showed a strong increase in their SDMT scores after the 16-week study period compared to participants randomized to the stretching state, indicating that long-distance aerobic walking exercise has a positive effect on cognitive processing speed.
In addition, the study showed that participants had a high level of adherence to the exercise program, an average of 80% of scheduled sessions.
This finding is especially important because reduced cognitive processing speed is a common symptom of MS, affecting up to 70% of patients. Vulnerability is associated with decreased quality of life, increased unemployment, and decreased social functioning. With the limited effective treatments available, this research holds promise for individuals with these disabling symptoms.
Remote delivery and support of walking aerobic training programs also has significant implications for the accessibility and convenience of care for individuals with MS. Many patients face barriers to attending face-to-face training programs, such as transportation problems or financial constraints.
This study shows that remotely delivered exercise programs are as effective as traditional face-to-face interventions, providing a more comprehensive solution for people with MS.
The researchers are optimistic about the potential applications of their findings.
Lead author Dr Sandrov, senior researcher in the Research Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience, said: “Our study suggests that training in long-distance aerobic walking exercises is not only feasible, but may also be effective in treating impaired cognitive processing speed in people with MS. .” “.
“We hope these findings will drive the development of more accessible, convenient and widespread exercise interventions, ultimately improving the quality of life for those affected by this challenging disease.”
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05344040
About this exercise and multiple sclerosis research news
author: Carolyn Murphy
source: The Kessler Foundation
communication: Carolyn Murphy – Yayasan Kessler
picture: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original search: open access.
“Feasibility of remote-assisted aerobic walking training for impaired cognitive processing speed in sedentary people with multiple sclerosis.Written by Brian M Sandroff et al. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders
summary
Feasibility of remote-assisted aerobic walking training for impaired cognitive processing speed in sedentary people with multiple sclerosis.
very
This pilot, single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the feasibility of remotely supported aerobic walking exercise training compared to active control conditions on cognitive processing speed (CPS) in 19 fully ambulance subjects with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) previously screened for CPS interference. .
method
Feasibility is assessed in terms of process (eg, staffing), resources (eg, financial costs), management (eg, time requirements), and scientific outcomes (eg, treatment effect). Outpatient complete PwMS, but poor CPS was randomly assigned to 16 weeks of home aerobic walking exercise or home stretching and range of motion activities. Both conditions involve sending informative newsletters and one-on-one online video chats with behavior coaches. Participants in both conditions tracked their activity using wearable high-resolution motion sensors. Treatment-blind assessors remotely administered the SDMT before and after the 16-week study period.
results
These studies are cost-effective, accessible, and acceptable. Safer intervention. The compliance and adherence rates in both conditions exceeded 80%. There was an overall mean effect of change in the SDMT score between conditions (dr = 0.42). Intervention was associated with an increase in the SDMT score of 4.8 points (dr = 0.70; 10% increase (compared to a 1 point increase for the control condition)dr = 0.09; increase of 2%).
conclusion
This remotely assisted, aerobic walking exercise is safe and useful for fully able walking PWMS, who have impaired CPS. This pattern of findings, including a promising effect on CPS, supports the design and implementation of well-supported RCTs based on this approach to manage declining CPS in a large sample of MS.