July 17, 2017 News by Janet Stewart, MSc Combined High-Intensity Interval, Resistance Training Improves Physical Health and Quality of Life in MS In a pilot study with patients with multiple sclerosis, high-intensity interval training combined with resistance training improved physical capacity and quality of life in a pilot study of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients ā whether or not they were disabled. French researchers at the University of Strasbourg assessed physical capacity, strength and quality of life before the training started, and then again after completing a 12-week exercise program. They divided participants into two groups: one of 18 patients with no disabilities, and a group of eight with disabilities. Participants followed a personalized exercise program involving both high-intensity interval training ā a kind of cardiovascular exercise strategy alternating short periods of intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods ā and resistance training to improve muscular strength and endurance. Scientists used a French version of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality Of Life-54 test ā a questionnaire filled out by MS patients to measure health-related quality of life ā with five additional questions. After the exercise program, women improved significantly in vitality, general well-being and physical health composite scores in the quality of life assessment, while men showed no significant improvements. Vitality and general well-being only improved in the group with no disability. Peak oxygen consumption improved by 13.5 percent, and maximum tolerated power ā a measure of maximum energy that can be expended ā by 9.4 percent. Muscle strength increased in both quadriceps and hamstrings. Women showed better improvements than men in peak oxygen consumption, maximal tolerated power, strength in both quadriceps and hamstrings, and quality of life. Both groups showed increased peak oxygen consumption and strength. āOur study has shown that high-intensity interval training combined with resistance exercise training induced an improvement in physical capacity and quality of life. Moreover, this study allowed patients, irrespective of their sex or EDSS [Expanded Disability Status Scale] score, to resume exercise autonomously,ā the team wrote. "High-intensity interval training is well tolerated too and can be used in clinical rehabilitation with resistance training, in both men and women with and without disabilities."
June 23, 2017 News by Janet Stewart, MSc Tecfidera Improves MS Patients’ Work Productivity, Compared with Other Therapies, Study Shows Multiple sclerosis patients taking Tecfidera, or dimethyl fumarate, were more productive at work than those on Copaxone or beta-interferon therapies, according to a study. Tecfidera also increased patients’ quality of life, researchers said. The study covered patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, or RRMS. The four beta-interferon treatments wereĀ Avonex, Betaseron, Rebif,…
June 21, 2017 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD Harvard Study Finds No Link Between Clinical Exams and MRIs in Some MS Patients Physical disability may have no link toĀ brain lesion volume in some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS),Ā concludes a recent study led by Dr.Ā Rohit Bakshi, aĀ neurology and radiology professor atĀ Harvard Medical School. The study, āCharacterizing Clinical and MRI Dissociation in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis,ā appearedĀ in the Journal…
May 19, 2017 News by Charles Moore Pilot Study of myMS App, Created to Aid Patients and Research, Starting in US A clinical trial of a smartphone app that helps multiple sclerosis (MS) understand and manageĀ their disease ā and to aid and speed research āĀ is nowĀ recruiting peopleĀ nationwide. Claimed to be the first of its kind, the app, called myMS, is designed to give MS patients quick and easyĀ access toĀ pertinentĀ information, fromĀ clinical evaluations…
May 8, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD United Spinal’s ‘Roll on Capitol Hill’ to Push for Better Access to Complex Rehab Technology People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and others with spinal cord injuries and disorders will speak at theĀ United Spinal Association’sĀ upcoming 6thĀ AnnualĀ Roll on Capitol Hill, which takes place June 11-14 inĀ Washington, D.C. Andrea Dalzell, Ms. WheelchairĀ New YorkĀ 2015, will be among those advocating for greater access to complex rehabilitation technology.
February 10, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Regular Massage Therapy Eases Pain and Fatigue of MS, Small Study Reports Regular massage therapy given peopleĀ withĀ multiple sclerosis (MS)Ā significantly reduced their pain and fatigue, and helped to ease spasticity, a small pilot studyĀ reports. The results further support previousĀ findingsĀ as to the benefits of massage in treatingĀ MS symptoms and improving patients’ quality of life. The study, āImpact of Massage Therapy on Fatigue,…
February 2, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Computer-assisted Therapy Found to Benefit MS Patients with Cognitive Difficulties Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who are showing signs of cognitive impairment mayĀ benefit from computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation programs, according to a new study. Difficulties with short-term memory, or withĀ processing informationĀ and concentrating, are believed toĀ affect 40% to 65% of MS patients.Ā Studies have suggested that cognitive rehabilitation may help, and thatĀ computer-assisted therapy used…
January 18, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Resilience Linked to Social Satisfaction and Quality of Life, but Not Physical Function in MS, Other Diseases Resilience, the ability of a person to cope with change and solve problems, is associated with satisfaction with social roles and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other chronic diseases. However, it is not linked to a patient’s physical function, according to the results of a…
January 13, 2017 Columns by admin Like These Athletes, We All Should be Putting Our Best Feet Forward Itās often said of the 2.5 million of people in the world who have multiple sclerosis that no two have the same symptoms. Indeed, that is why it is known as the Snowflake disease. And the wide variety of symptoms can be well-illustrated by looking…
January 9, 2017 News by Janet Stewart, MSc Paleolithic Diet Improved RRMS Patients’ Quality of Life, Study Shows A modified Paleolithic diet reduced fatigue and increased the quality of life of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a study shows. The diet may also reduce inflammation by increasing vitamin K levels, the researchers said. The study, āRandomized control trial evaluation of a modified Paleolithic dietary…
November 28, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Palliative Care Helps Improve Life Quality, Ease Pain of Anyone with Serious Illness Palliative care helps to ease the symptoms ofĀ serious illnesses, providing peopleĀ with cancer and thoseĀ withĀ otherĀ life-altering diseases, likeĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) or cystic fibrosis,Ā a better quality of life, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). In the study, āAssociation Between Palliative Care And Patient…
November 14, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Effectiveness and Safety of DMDs Top Patient Concerns with These Therapies, Survey Says In general, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) choose their disease-modifying drug (DMD) treatment based on considerations of effectiveness and potential sideĀ effects. But the weight they assign to these considerations can differ widely, making it important they are part of treatment decisions, especially regarding DMDs. TheseĀ findingsĀ are in the report,Ā āIdentification and…
September 20, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #ECTRIMS2016 – Sanofi Releases Patients’ Views of Aubagio as Effective Treatment for Relapsing MS Sanofi GenzymeĀ presented positive results from itsĀ Phase 4 study into patient-reported assessments ofĀ Aubagio (teriflunomide), an approved oral treatmentĀ for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Real-world patient responses were reported at the 32ndĀ Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), recentlyĀ held in London. The clinical…
August 12, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Pilot Study Finds Fatigue, Mood in MS Patients Improved by Low-Fat, Plant-Based Diet Though approved therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) exist,Ā the disabling disease remains currently incurable leading to greater interestĀ for promoting healthier lifestyles that could ease or slow disease impacts such asĀ hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease which increase progression of disability, brain injury, and atrophy. In fact,…
August 9, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD PCORI Awards $2 Million to Study Treatments for Fatigue in MS Patients The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) recentlyĀ awarded a sum of $5.5 million to two researchers at the University of California, San FranciscoĀ (UCSF). Bardia Nourbakhsh, MD. (Credit: UCSF) Bardia Nourbakhsh, MD, a clinical fellow in Neurology, receivedĀ aĀ $2 million grant to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to…
June 24, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Study Finds PoNS Neurostimulator Plus Physical Therapy of Benefit to Advanced MS Patients Helius Medical Technologies announced results of a pilot study, demonstrating the benefits ofĀ PoNS Therapy ā aĀ combination of the investigational Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) device with physical therapy ā in patients with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS). Specifically, the treatmentĀ was seen to improve both patients’ quality of life, andĀ physical and…
June 20, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Clinical Pilates Seen to Improve Both Cognition and Muscle Strength in MS Patients Clinical pilates canĀ improve cognitive skills and life qualityĀ inĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) patients,Ā in addition to helping them physically. But the study, comparing clinical pilates with traditional exercise,Ā alsoĀ showed that other exercise forms offer important benefits, and more research is needed to determineĀ if clinical pilates is a superior type of exercise for people with…
June 7, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD #CMSC16 – Home DVD-Guided Exercise May Help Older MS Patients Improve Physical Function, Quality of Life Positive results from a home-based exercise intervention designed to target flexibility, toning, and balance for older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), suggests that exercise is important forĀ improving Ā patient quality of life. TheĀ study, “A Qualitative Study of a Home-Based DVD Exercise Intervention in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis,” was…
June 6, 2016 News by Margarida Azevedo, MSc #CMSC16 – MS Research Highlights How Sensory Processing, Fatigue, and Cognition Assessment May Improve Clinical Care Melissa A. Colbeck, an investigator at the Occupational Therapy, Health Sciences CentreĀ in Winnipeg, Canada, studied how different sensory processing approaches, cognition, and fatigue influence the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings suggested that establishing a relationship between the three factors and quality of life…
June 6, 2016 News by Margarida Azevedo, MSc #CMSC16 – MS Care Should Include Fatigue, Sleep Quality and Inattentiveness Assessment, Study Shows Mayis Al Dughmi, of the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Kansas Medical Center, recently presented her findings on the relationship between fatigue, measured using the Neurological Fatigue Index (NFI-MS), and sleep quality and attentiveness in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings indicate that cognitive…
June 6, 2016 News by Margarida Azevedo, MSc #CMSC16 – Researchers Present Findings Showing Women with MS Have Significant Depression, Fatigue, Decline in Cognitive Function Researchers at the University of Arizona studied the psychosocial symptoms felt by a group of female patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) from the southwestern United States, and found significant relationships between depression, fatigue, and cognitive decline — symptoms also related with poorer quality of life and reduced mental and…
June 6, 2016 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD #CMSC16 – MS Patients at Higher Risk for Loneliness, Study Shows Researchers who looked atĀ manifestations of lonelinessĀ found that the burden of loneliness is much higher in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients when compared to healthy people. The study, āLoneliness in Multiple Sclerosis: Putative Antecedents and Manifestations,ā was recently presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)Ā June…
June 6, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #CMSC16 – Fatigue in MS Might Be Handled with Interactive Self-Management Resource Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients using an interactive, self-guided fatigue management resource, developed by researchers from the University of Alberta in Canada, reported lower fatigue and improved cognition after three months, showing that fatigue self-management tools can contribute to the treatment of this common MS symptom. The pilot study, ā…
May 13, 2016 News by Ćzge Ćzkaya, PhD Fatigue in MS Patients Can Cause Depression and Impair Life Quality, Regardless of Disability A new study suggests a strong association in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients between high levels of fatigue and mental health, quality of life (QoL), and the ability to move about and participate in daily activities, althoughĀ disability is not related to fatigue levels. Ā These findings are of importance and highlight the…
May 2, 2016 News by Charles Moore European Program Aims to Develop Wearable Devices to Monitor and Treat MS A major new European research program to develop waysĀ of monitoring three mainĀ central nervous system diseases āmultiple sclerosis (MS), depressive disorder, and epilepsy ā using wearable devices and smartphones was launched on April 26. The RADAR-CNS (Remote assessment of disease and relapse Central Nervous System) project, supported by the Innovative…
March 22, 2016 News by Margarida Azevedo, MSc MS Patients Being Recruited for At-Home Study of Bacteria’s Benefits on Bladder Health The United Spinal Association, a nonprofit focused on improvingĀ the quality of life of peopleĀ with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), a group of conditions that include multiple sclerosis (MS), is collaborating withĀ MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital and Children’s National Medical CenterĀ to study the potential benefits of the bacteria…
February 23, 2016 News by Charles Moore Science Fiction Becomes Reality for MS Patients in New Robotic Exoskeleton Study Wearable robotic exoskeletons may soon help people with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS) walk more efficiently and confidently again. Exoskeleton technology reduces the amount of energy and muscle exertion needed to initiate and controlĀ the process of walking, according to research presented last week at the Association for Academic Physiatrists (AAP)…
January 8, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD MS Patients and Caregivers Invited to Take Part in Meditation Study A new randomizedĀ andĀ controlled trial is recruiting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to investigate the effect of a mindfulness-based telemedicine intervention program on patients and their caregivers. The clinical study’sĀ protocol was recently published in the journal Trials,Ā titled “A telemedicine meditation intervention for people with multiple sclerosis…
December 11, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Study Recruiting MS Patients to Assess Exercise and Behavioral Therapy Dr. Bradley Bowser, a South Dakota State University (SDSU) researcher and assistant professor, is investigating whether the practice of exercise, either by itself or together with cognitive behavioral therapy, can effectively improve mobility and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a neurodegenerative condition that oftenĀ induces…
November 3, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Multiple Sclerosis Patients Reported to Be Common Psychiatric comorbidity is common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and affects the MS community more frequentlyĀ than a matched control population, although the incidence is stable over time, according to recent findings of a study published in the journal Neurology, the Official Journal of the American Academy…