The Combined Effects of Training on Serum Levels of Interferon Gamma (INF-γ) and Expanded Scale Disability Status Scale of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis at Different Levels of Disability

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and debilitating nervous system, leading to demyelination of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Regular exercise and general physical activity is important to maintain health and prevent disease, already well known. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of combined exercises (strength training, Strengthening Exercises, cardio respiratory endurance, a variety of static and dynamic balance exercises, exercises of the trunk (pilates training) and walking on the treadmill training with body weight support) on interferon gamma and Expanded Disability Status Scale women with multiple sclerosis.
In the present experimental rsearch, female patients who were admitted to the MS Society of Shahrekord, Iran, were divided into three groups based on physical disability scores. In the first group (physical disability scale less than 4.5), 44 people were randomly selected to one experimental group (22 patients) and control group (n = 22). In the second group (scale physical disability between 5 and 5.6), 26 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 13) and control group (n = 13). The third (Physical Disability Scale-up to 6.5), 26 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 13) and control group (n = 13). A total of 96 patients were participated in this study. Experimental groups of first, second and third were done its own intervention separately. While the control group received stretching exercises, workout schedule for the experimental group was of 12 weeks, three sessions of lasted one hour. Anthropometric factors and interferon-gamma were measured before and after training with the appropriate tools. Serum levels of INF-γ was determind using a commercial ELISA kit and EDSS scores were measured using the measure of disability in patients with MS. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA and paired t-test and dependent.
The results showed that no significant differences were seen in the INF-γ subjects with low disability before and after exercise in the intervention group (p=1.017), whereas, there was no significant difference in the control group (p=0.229). In comparison, no significant difference was observed between intervention and control groups in terms of INF-γ (09/0 = p). The results indicated that significant differences INF-γ subjects with low disability before and after exercise was observed in the intervention group (p=0.309
Although combinated exercise training did not change on serum levels of IFN, but it casued asignificant changes in EDSS of the patients with M.S at different levels Regarding these results, it can be suggested that rehabilitation specialists use of these exercises as a complementary treatment along with drug therapy for MS patients.