Effect Aerobic Exercises on fatigue and quality of life in Women with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic and autoimmune disease. Muscle weakness and fatigue leads to decreased functional capacities and diminished quality of life in Multiple Sclerosis patients The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aerobic exercises on fatigue and quality of life in women with Multiple Sclerosis Fifteen women with Multiple Sclerosis (aged 33.68±8.22 years) and Expanded Disability StatusScale < 4 participated in this study. Subjects were randomly divided to experimental (8 patients) and control group (7 patients). The experiment group went through Modified Fatigue Impact Scale-5 aerobic activity for 8 weeks, 3 days/week, 20-40 min/day, with 60-80% of maximum Heart Rate on treadmill. Modified Fatigue Impact Scale-5 questionnaire on fatigue and quality of life (SF-36) and additionally, walking endurance of subjects were measured before and after program in both experimental and control groups Data analysis showed that the aerobic exercise led to improvement of quality of life in MS patients (P=0.001). Therefore, the exercise program led to a significant decrease in fatigue in experimental group (P=0.001); while fatigue increased in control group. Additionally, after the 8-week aerobic activity, walking endurance increased significantly in experimental group (P=0.000); and decreased significantly in control group (P=0.04). Considering study results, it can be stated that aerobic exercises may increase walking endurance and improvement of quality of life of Multiple Sclerosis patients and decrease fatigue.