Abstract: P793
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: RIMS - Exercise
Background: Aerobic training may prove a viable treatment to alleviate the commonly reported fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, limited evidence is available for its effectiveness in fatigued patients with MS.
Methods: Treating fatigue in multiple sclerosis - Aerobic training (TREFAMS-A) is a multicentre, observer-blinded, randomised controlled trial in 90 ambulant patients with MS suffering from severe fatigue. Patients were allocated 1:1 to 16 weeks individual, partly supervised, aerobic training or a control intervention consisting of three consultations with an MS-specialized nurse. Primary outcomes were perceived fatigue (Checklist Individual Strength [CIS] fatigue subscale) with, and societal participation (Impact on Participation and Autonomy [IPA] scale). An improvement of ≥ 8 points on the CIS fatigue subscale was considered clinically relevant. Secondary outcomes included measures of physical fitness, and complementary fatigue measures. Assessments were performed at baseline, 8, 16, 26, and 52 weeks. Random coefficient analysis was used to assess the group-by-time interaction effects. This study is registered with Controlled-trials.com number ISRCTN69520623.
Findings: Between 1 October 2011 and 1 October 2014, over 925 patients were approached, 207 patients with MS were assessed for eligibility, and 90 were included. The mean difference (MD) between-groups, post-intervention on the CIS fatigue subscale was 4.708 (Standard Error [SE] = 1.890; P = .014) in favour of aerobic training. This was preceded by a significant increase in peak power output following 8 weeks of training (MD = 11.701; SE = 5.868; P = .048). At 8 weeks, also a significant reduction on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale psychosocial subscale (MD = -0.771; SE = 0.325, P = .019) was shown. No significant effect was found on societal participation.
Interpretation: Aerobic training in MS patients with severe fatigue does not lead to clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue and does not improve societal participation when compared to three consultations offered by an MS-specialized nurse.
Disclosure:
Funding: This study was funded by the Fonds NutsOhra (ZonMw 89000005).
M. Heine: nothing to disclose
O. Verschuren: nothing to disclose
E.L. Hoogervorst: nothing to disclose
E.Th.L. van Munster: nothing to disclose
H.G.A. Hacking: nothing to disclose
J.M.A. Visser-Meily: nothing to disclose
J.W. Twisk: nothing to disclose
H. Beckerman: nothing to disclose
V. de Groot: nothing to disclose
G. Kwakkel: nothing to disclose
Abstract: P793
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: RIMS - Exercise
Background: Aerobic training may prove a viable treatment to alleviate the commonly reported fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, limited evidence is available for its effectiveness in fatigued patients with MS.
Methods: Treating fatigue in multiple sclerosis - Aerobic training (TREFAMS-A) is a multicentre, observer-blinded, randomised controlled trial in 90 ambulant patients with MS suffering from severe fatigue. Patients were allocated 1:1 to 16 weeks individual, partly supervised, aerobic training or a control intervention consisting of three consultations with an MS-specialized nurse. Primary outcomes were perceived fatigue (Checklist Individual Strength [CIS] fatigue subscale) with, and societal participation (Impact on Participation and Autonomy [IPA] scale). An improvement of ≥ 8 points on the CIS fatigue subscale was considered clinically relevant. Secondary outcomes included measures of physical fitness, and complementary fatigue measures. Assessments were performed at baseline, 8, 16, 26, and 52 weeks. Random coefficient analysis was used to assess the group-by-time interaction effects. This study is registered with Controlled-trials.com number ISRCTN69520623.
Findings: Between 1 October 2011 and 1 October 2014, over 925 patients were approached, 207 patients with MS were assessed for eligibility, and 90 were included. The mean difference (MD) between-groups, post-intervention on the CIS fatigue subscale was 4.708 (Standard Error [SE] = 1.890; P = .014) in favour of aerobic training. This was preceded by a significant increase in peak power output following 8 weeks of training (MD = 11.701; SE = 5.868; P = .048). At 8 weeks, also a significant reduction on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale psychosocial subscale (MD = -0.771; SE = 0.325, P = .019) was shown. No significant effect was found on societal participation.
Interpretation: Aerobic training in MS patients with severe fatigue does not lead to clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue and does not improve societal participation when compared to three consultations offered by an MS-specialized nurse.
Disclosure:
Funding: This study was funded by the Fonds NutsOhra (ZonMw 89000005).
M. Heine: nothing to disclose
O. Verschuren: nothing to disclose
E.L. Hoogervorst: nothing to disclose
E.Th.L. van Munster: nothing to disclose
H.G.A. Hacking: nothing to disclose
J.M.A. Visser-Meily: nothing to disclose
J.W. Twisk: nothing to disclose
H. Beckerman: nothing to disclose
V. de Groot: nothing to disclose
G. Kwakkel: nothing to disclose