A team of experts in multiple sclerosis (MS) research recommends a structured approach to the study of mechanisms of exercise training for improving outcomes for multiple sclerosis (MS). In a review article, "Focusing on neural mechanisms of exercise training benefits in multiple sclerosis," (doi: 10.1016/j.
msard.2024.105633) published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders on April 16, 2024, they emphasize the value of adopting an experimental medicine framework to optimize the development, evaluation, and application of exercise interventions in MS rehabilitation.
MS is a chronic and often disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that impairs motor and cognitive function, affecting millions of individuals globally. Although pharmacological treatments are effective for preventing MS relapses, they are not designed for improving functions that are negatively impacted by the disease. Exercise training has been identified as an effective intervention with the potential to improve the neurological symptoms of MS.
However, its potential has not been fully realized due to inconsistent methodologies in the field of exercise science and a lack of understanding of underlying mechanisms. "By understanding how exercise affects CNS function in MS, we can design and optimize interventions that improve mobility, cognition, and quality of life," said lead author Brian M. Sandroff, PhD, assistant director of the Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research at Kessl.