exercise

A digital lifestyle program promoting a balanced diet, regular physical activity, better sleep, and stress management was associated with improvements in several measures and behaviors reported by people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a study found. Most gains emerged during the intensive three-month program. Over the next 21 months, improvements…

Among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), overall quality of life may be closely associated with walking ability, according to a new analysis. The study showed that lower levels of disability, greater walking abilities, and a higher daily step count were linked to a better quality of life in people…

Daily step patterns — captured via wearable devices such as smartwatches — may offer a more complete picture of disability in people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) than measurements taken during occasional clinic visits, a study found. Using more than two years of step count data from…

While U.S. researchers believed a home-based telerehabilitation program — thought to be more convenient and accessible for patients — would prove more effective than a clinic-based one in improving walking endurance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), data from a large clinical trial in “the Deep South” found no…

There is a beautiful, humbling irony in the rhythm of my life. When I was in my 20s, Bike MS — a cycling series to raise money for multiple sclerosis (MS) research and support that includes a two-day, 150-mile ride known as the MS 150 —…

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who engage in structured exercise programs tend to report lower levels of fatigue, according to an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The strongest evidence was seen for cardiorespiratory exercise. Resistance training, which often involves weights and resistance bands, also…

Physical exercise may do more than improve muscle strength and mobility in people with multiple sclerosis (MS): Certain types of exercise may also help protect nerve cells from ongoing damage, according to a review of published studies. The review linked resistance training, Pilates, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to…

Note: This story was updated July 16, 2026, to correct that home-based Pilates led to a 9.5-point benefit in the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, not 99.5 points. Pilates-based interventions may improve mobility, balance, and quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), while reducing their fatigue, according to…

Combining high-intensity physical exercise with melatonin supplements may offer greater benefits for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) than either approach alone, a new clinical trial shows. The combination was particularly effective at decreasing markers of cellular stress and inflammation, lowering “bad” cholesterol, and reducing body fat, according to researchers.

If I sit for over three minutes, it takes almost that long to regain movement in my legs when I stand. Even then, my limbs must fight the relentless pressure of immobility. Focused therapies, such as the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator, have given me back years of lost function.

Physical exercise may help reduce inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS) by changing the activity of immune T-cells, a new study reports. Findings suggest this effect may depend in part on signaling through the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to other organs and helps regulate automatic bodily functions.

A 12-week intervention combining breathing exercises, cold exposure, and meditation — known as the Wim Hof Method (WHM) — or a lifestyle intervention aimed at improving physical activity and dietary habits may help reduce inflammation linked to disease progression in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a pilot study suggests.

In recognition of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March, the MS Awareness Month campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by MS, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Pinterest for more stories like this,…

In recognition of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March, the MS Awareness Month campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by MS, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Pinterest for more stories like this,…

Exercises to strengthen the respiratory muscles — the muscles in the chest needed to move air in and out of the lungs when breathing — can help improve lung function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new analysis. This type of exercise, known as respiratory muscle…

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who engage in more physical activity tend to have less severe physical and cognitive disability, a study demonstrated. While past exercise levels showed no correlation with later disease onset or slower disability accumulation, current exercise habits were significantly associated with physical disability in MS…

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) — a congressionally chartered veterans organization open to all military service members with multiple sclerosis (MS) — has launched a new, free, online fitness and wellness program that offers adaptive, expert-led classes for individuals with mobility challenges. The initiative is designed specifically…

Regular physical activity was independently linked to lower disability, fatigue, and depression over time in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study found. Other lifestyle factors also supported better outcomes. For example, eating a higher-quality diet was independently associated with less disability, while not smoking was…

A Georgia State University researcher won a $1 million U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grant to study whether a program combining cognitive training with exercise can help prevent falls in older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). “Falls are so common — and frightening — in older adults,” Katherine…

Aquatic therapy significantly eased fatigue and improved balance in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in a clinical trial in Greece, outperforming results from a control group who participated in a conventional physiotherapy program. “Our work suggests that incorporating [aquatic therapy] into MS care can meaningfully alleviate fatigue and balance deficits,…

Resistance training may be the most effective type of exercise for easing fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially when programs last longer than eight weeks, a meta-analysis found. The study, “Effects of exercise on fatigue and quality of life in multiple sclerosis: a network meta-analysis…

Aerobic exercise may help promote myelin repair in some parts of the brain in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a small study. Though the study included a small number of participants and followed them for a short period of time, the findings suggest that “supporting metabolic health…

Three self-reported prevalent symptoms among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) – fatigue, mobility issues, and cognitive impairment – are generally not associated with lower engagement in healthy lifestyle factors, a study in Australia shows. However, in the long term, mobility difficulties may significantly reduce adherence to physical activity, a…

Regular exercise that follows established guidelines for physical activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) leads to clinically meaningful gains in depression and supports its use as a nonpharmacological treatment for people with MS, a meta-analysis of 12 studies suggests. The meta-analysis, “Effects of meeting exercise guidelines on depression and…

Vibration therapy, which provides mechanical stimulation to activate muscles and sensory receptors, may offer a promising new approach for easing fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new data from a clinical trial. Patients who received vibration therapy reported reduced perceived fatigue and also showed significant gains…

Infections and stressful life events in childhood may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), while childhood exercise is associated with lower MS risk, according to a study. The findings, part of the German National Cohort (NAKO) population study, imply that programs to encourage physical activity and prevent…

Task-oriented training may help balance issues for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly when combined with conventional physiotherapy, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. But the study came with a note of caution. “These findings suggest inconsistent outcomes and highlight the need for cautious interpretation and further research,”…

For many years after being diagnosed in 1992 with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), Carolyn Cannistraro didn’t want to think about having MS, let alone tell others about her condition. But now Cannistraro is aiming to complete three races across New York City within 60 days using a handcycle. She…

Non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness and exercise may improve sleep for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) while boosting overall psychological well-being and quality of life, according to a meta-analysis of several studies. While the studies were very different from each other, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions, the…

A 12-week program based on the Wim Hof method (WHM) — which combines cold exposure, breathing exercises, and mindfulness — was found to significantly ease cognitive fatigue, anxiety, and depression, as well as certain cognitive difficulties, in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a pilot clinical study. According to…