Farajnia Sara, Rajabi Hamid, Ghaffari Mehran, Beladi-Moghadam Nahid, Fayazmilani Rana
Department of Biological Sciences in Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Physiol Behav. 2025 Mar 1;290:114756. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114756. Epub 2024 Nov 22.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by demyelination and neurodegeneration, leading to various physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Dual-task (DT) training, involving performing mental and physical tasks simultaneously, addresses the complex interaction between motor and cognitive functions.
Given the extensive physical, cognitive, and mood-related issues in this population, this study aimed to examine the effects of combined aerobic-cognitive training (Brythonic) and aerobic training on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), DT performance, and mood state in MS patients.
Thirty patients (22 women and 8 men) with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score below four were randomly assigned to three groups: aerobic-cognitive training (Brythonic), aerobic training, and control. The training groups participated in 10 weeks of home-based online training, with two sessions per week. Each session included a 10-minute warmup, 15 to 35 min of exercise, and a 5-minute cool-down. The Brythonic group performed aerobic movements while reciting motivational words, forming a complete positive sentence over ten weeks. The aerobic group performed the same movements without cognitive tasks. Serum BDNF levels, DT performance, and profile of mood states (POMS) were measured before and after the 10-week training period. A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to analyze differences between and within groups, with a significance level of P ≤ 0.05.
BDNF levels significantly increased in the Brythonic group (P = 0.048) and significantly decreased in the control group compared to baseline. In the DT test, the Brythonic group showed significant improvements in the number of correct answers and DT values compared to the aerobic and control groups. The Brythonic group also had a significantly reduced response time compared to the control group. Additionally, selective speed significantly increased in both training groups. In the POMS test, the Brythonic group showed significant improvements in all items except depression compared to the control group. Within the Brythonic group, all items significantly improved from baseline.
This study demonstrated that combining motivational words with aerobic movements significantly impacts BDNF levels, DT performance, and mood states. Adding mental exertion to physical activity appears beneficial for patients with MS. Future studies should re-examine these findings with a larger patient cohort.
多发性硬化症（MS）是一种慢性神经疾病，其特征为脱髓鞘和神经退行性变，会导致各种身体、认知和情感方面的挑战。双任务（DT）训练涉及同时执行心理和身体任务，可解决运动和认知功能之间的复杂相互作用。
鉴于该人群存在广泛的身体、认知和情绪相关问题，本研究旨在探讨有氧认知训练（Brythonic）与有氧训练相结合对多发性硬化症患者脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）、双任务表现和情绪状态的影响。
30例复发缓解型多发性硬化症（RRMS）患者（22名女性和8名男性），扩展残疾状态量表（EDSS）评分低于4分，被随机分为三组：有氧认知训练（Brythonic）组、有氧训练组和对照组。训练组参加为期10周的居家在线训练，每周两次。每次训练包括10分钟热身、15至35分钟运动和5分钟放松。Brythonic组在背诵激励性词语的同时进行有氧运动，在十周内形成一个完整的积极句子。有氧训练组进行相同的运动但无认知任务。在为期10周的训练期前后测量血清BDNF水平、双任务表现和情绪状态量表（POMS）。采用重复测量的双向方差分析来分析组间和组内差异，显著性水平为P≤0.05。
与基线相比，Brythonic组的BDNF水平显著升高（P = 0.048），而对照组显著降低。在双任务测试中，与有氧训练组和对照组相比，Brythonic组在正确答案数量和双任务值方面有显著改善。与对照组相比，Brythonic组的反应时间也显著缩短。此外，两个训练组的选择性速度均显著提高。在POMS测试中，与对照组相比，Brythonic组除抑郁外的所有项目均有显著改善。在Brythonic组内，所有项目与基线相比均有显著改善。
本研究表明，将激励性词语与有氧运动相结合对BDNF水平、双任务表现和情绪状态有显著影响。在体力活动中增加脑力消耗对多发性硬化症患者似乎有益。未来的研究应以更大的患者队列重新审视这些发现。
