The Effect of a Comprehensive Exercise Rehabilitation program on the Levels of Neurotrophin-3 in Men with Multiple Sclerosis with Different Levels of Disability

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and debilitating disease of the nervous system that destroys myelin in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a program of exercise rehabilitation on the Neutrophin-3 (NT-3) levels in multiple sclerosis patients with different levels of disability. 96 MS patients were selected and were divided into three groups: A1 = 44 (score less than 4.5), A2 = 26 (score between 5 and 6.5) and A3 = 26 (score above 6.5) based on their physical disability scale scores. Then, each group was divided into equal experimental and control subgroups; three experimental subgroups and three control subgroups were created. Experimental groups performed selected exercises (Pilates training, PNF stretching, aerobic and strength training) one hour per session, three sessions per week and 12 weeks. Control groups had only stretching exercises. Body composition factors and NT-3 levels were measured before and after the exercises. The significance level was considered to be P<0.05. ANCOVA test results showed that although there was a significant difference in the NT-3 levels between the experimental and control subgroups of A3 group, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control subgroups of A1 and A2 groups. Also, the results showed a significant difference between experimental and control groups in fat percentage and body mass index. Based on the findings of the present study, it can be suggested that the selected exercises may not only increase NT-3 levels and improve the plasticity of the central nervous system and reconstruct spinal cord and muscle in MS patients but also improve the body composition of these patients.