Symptom change with exercise is a temporary phenomenon for people with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of a single exercise session on function, fatigue, and sensory symptoms for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

DESIGN

This pilot study was designed as a before-after trial. Demographic and response-to-exercise measures were taken before exercise, repeated immediately after exercise, and followed up again 24 hours later.

SETTING

Three metropolitan centers of an MS society.

PARTICIPANTS

A prospective sample of 34 subjects with MS who were referred for physiotherapy for an exercise program and who could attend an MS society center.

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects performed an individually prescribed exercise session, which was at a commencement level and included strengthening, stretches, and fitness exercises. Subjects exercised for between 5 to 45 minutes (mean, 17.4 min) at an intensity of 7 to 17 (median, 12) on the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All outcome measures were self-rated by subjects and included the Borg RPE scale, a questionnaire for sensory symptom description, and visual analog scales for rating of fatigue, function, and intensity of sensory symptoms.

RESULTS

Subjective levels of fatigue and function immediately postexercise and 24 hours postexercise did not differ significantly from pre-exercise levels. However, over 40% of subjects experienced a temporary increase in number of sensory symptoms, 44% experienced an increase in the intensity of sensory symptoms, and 29% experienced an increase in both number and intensity immediately postexercise.

CONCLUSIONS

This small study found that when people with MS undertake exercise at a commencement level, they can expect that sensory symptoms may change temporarily, but they are unlikely to have any deleterious changes in fatigue and function.