Objective

Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) is common, present in 40 to 60% of patients, and is under diagnosis. Currently, there is no effective drug and non-pharmacological treatments that are developed. We propose to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise training (ET) on cognitive impairment.

Materials/patients and methods

The study included patients from University Hospital of Nantes with an EDSS of between 3 and 4.5. They followed an exercise therapy program during 8 weeks, in groups, including aerobic physical activity (Nordic walking, gymnastics and exercise of balance) and recreational activities (billiards and boccia). Each patient was evaluated before and after a neuropsychological assessment, physical tests, and scales: HADS, TLS-coping 10. The results were compared to a control group. The primary objective was to improve the information processing speed (IPS) and attention, the secondary objectives were to improve executive functions (EF), working memory (WM) and psychological factors (depression, anxiety and coping). The factorial Anova was used for statistics.

Results

Nineteen patients were included, 9 in the ET group and 10 in the control group. A patient was lost to view. There is a ET’s effect on attention and IPS (T score STROOP color p = 0.045, many errors STROOP word p = 0.034) and anxiety (HADS-A score p = 0.028) and coping (TLS-coping score 10 p = 0.011). No significant results on other cognitive functions (WM and EF) and depression were found.

Discussion/conclusion

The ET seems to have an effect on cognitive disorders, with improved attention and SIP, but the data must be completed. We have also shown an effect on anxiety and coping.