A new study examined how MS patients responded to a combination of aerobic, strengthening, balancing and stretching exercise. It helped the patients during the active period, but benefits were lost by the one-year follow-up, with regression of symptoms.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25068045 (Link to the full free text available!)
“Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014 Jun;16(6):e17173. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.17173. Epub 2014 Jun 5.
Effect of combination exercise therapy on walking distance, postural balance, fatigue and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients: a clinical trial study.
Sangelaji B1, Nabavi SM2, Estebsari F3, Banshi MR4, Rashidian H5, Jamshidi E6, Dastoorpour M4.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the nervous system which has numerous disabling effects on patients.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed at investigating the short- and long-term effects of a period of combination exercise therapy on walking distance, balance, fatigue and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients referred to the physiotherapy clinic of Iran’s Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2013.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial on 59 patients divided into the intervention (n = 39) and control groups (n = 20). The intervention group received 10 weeks of combination therapy including aerobic, strengthening, balancing and stretching exercises. A week before, a week later and a year after the beginning of the exercises, both groups of patients received BBSS, six minute walking, Family Support Services (FSS), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and quality of life tests. The scores of two groups were then compared using statistical tests such as repeated measures ANOVA test.
RESULTS:
THE RESULTS INDICATED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE INTERVENTION GROUP IN COMPARISON TO THE CONTROL GROUP IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE STUDY COMPARING TO THE FIRST ONE FOR ALL TESTS EXCEPT EDSS (MEAN DIFFERENCE SCORES OF EDSS: -0.13), P-value = 0.60; FSS: -6.9, P-value = 0.02, Mental Quality of Life (QOL): 16.36, P-value = 0.001; Physical QOL: 12.17, P-value = 0.001, six minute walking: 137.2, P-value < 0.0001; and Berg: 3.34, P-value < 0.0001. These changes were not significant in the second phase of the study comparing to the third one; however, they were again significant in the third phase comparing to the first phase of the study (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Exercise has significant effect on improving symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and cessation of exercise may cause recurrence of symptoms in the intervention group with a slope similar to that of the control group. Therefore, continuous rather than short period exercises have valuable symptomatic and supportive relief effects in patients.
KEYWORDS:
Exercise Therapy; Fatigue; Multiple Sclerosis; Quality of Life"
Of course, MS patients have benefited from massage therapy treatment. I like to focus on the neck (often a lot of stiffness), as well as draining the arteries from the head (in case of blood reflux in the brain), as well as any contractured muscles.