The Effects of In-phase Bilateral Exercise in People with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. MS, typical presents with progression of clinical symptoms which mainly include motor and cognitive impairment, as well as reduction of patients' quality of life. Exercise is an effective approach in the management of the symptoms in people with progressive MS. Previous studies in healthy and in people with MS, reported a close relationship between cognitive functions and upper limb performance. Since patients with progressive MS facing difficulties with performing complex exercises due to cognitive dysfunctions and given the close relationship between cognitive functions and manual dexterity, a reasonable question arises whether a type of upper limbs exercises with less cognitive demands will improve the information processing speed in people with progressive MS. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effects of in-phase bilateral upper limbs exercises on the information processing speed, in patients with progressive MS, given that in-phase bilateral movements needs less attentional load than the other types of bilateral coordination. The intervention protocol lasted for 12 consecutive weeks (30-60 minutes /session x 3 sessions/week) and included in-phase bilateral exercises of the upper limbs, adapted to different sports activities and to functional training. Results from the statistical analysis indicated improvement of the experimental group compared to the control group, on the information processing speed alongside with improvement of motor skills.