In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis, Both Objective and Subjective Sleep, Depression, Fatigue, and Paresthesia Improved After 3 Weeks of Regular Exercise

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients suffer from various difficulties including sleep complaints, symptoms of depression and fatigue, paresthesia, and cognitive impairments. There is growing evidence that regular physical activity has a positive effect on both sleep and psychological functioning, though there is limited evidence of this kind for MS patients. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the impact on this patient group of a regular exercise program with respect to subjective and objective sleep, depression, paresthesia, fatigue, and cognitive performance. Methods: A total of 46 patients [mean age: 50.74 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): mean: 5.3, 78.4% females] completed this 3-week intervention study. At baseline and 3 weeks later, they answered questionnaires covering sociodemographic information, subjective sleep, depression, fatigue, paresthesia, and subjective physical activity. Objective sleep [sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings] and cognitive performance were also assessed at both time points. Patients participated in a regular exercise activity every weekday for about 60 min. Results: Compared to the baseline, by the end of the study, objective sleep had significantly improved (sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and wake time after sleep onset), and symptoms of sleep complaints, depression, fatigue, and paresthesia were significantly reduced. Subjective physical activity (moderate and vigorous) and cognitive performance also increased over the course of the intervention. Conclusions: In patients with MS, participation in regular exercise impacted positively on their objective and subjective sleep, depression, paresthesia, fatigue, and cognitive performance.

Among Persons With Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Objective Sleep, Psychological Functioning, and Higher Physical Activity Scores Remained Stable Over 2 Years—Results From a Small Study Under Naturalistic Conditions

“…Before their discharge, 46 PwMS treated for their disease at the Kliniken Valens (Valens SG; Switzerland) were thoroughly assessed regarding their objective and subjective sleep, psychological functioning, and illness-related information ( 33 ). This timepoint is termed baseline, and all assessments at baseline were performed in the rehabilitation center of the Kliniken Valens.…”

“…These observations hold also true as regards the associations between sleep patterns and physical activity behaviors. For non-clinical samples (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28), clinical samples (29,30), and samples with PwMS (31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36), favorable sleep indices were associated with higher physical activity indices. Despite this, longitudinal studies on the development of sleep and physical activity indices over time are scarce.…”

“…Data from interventional studies showed that physical activity improved depression, fatigue, and paresthesia ( 33 , 38 ). Likewise, higher physical activity levels were associated with favorable objective and subjective sleep dimensions ( 32 ), higher emotion regulation and empathy ( 35 ), and improved sexual behavior (at least among female PwMS) ( 39 ).…”

“…Third, we explored if and to what extent both objective sleep indices (at baseline and follow-up) and physical activity patterns (at baseline and follow-up) were related to each other. To do so, we combined findings from two previous studies and publications ( 32 , 33 ). While objective sleep and subjective physical activity indices were main outcome dimensions, symptoms of depression and fatigue and EDSS scores were secondary outcome variables.…”

Decreased plasma levels of 25(OH)D in multiple sclerosis patients. Correlation with disease severity expressed by EDSS, MSSS, progression index and Herbert´s scale severity grade

“…This leads to a signifi cant disability with deterioration of the motor, sensible, autonomic and neurocognitive functions (1,4,5). Neurological symptoms include: sensory disturbances, optic neuritis, loss of vision, limb weakness, ataxia, bladder dysfunction, cognitive defi cits and fatigue (6)(7)(8)(9).…”