Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with MS for years, rehabilitation plays a key role in improving movement and managing symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and reduced mobility.

Our Accredited Exercise Physiologist focuses on a range of different modes of exercise to assist:

• Strength
• Balance
• Flexibility
• Core stability
• Cardiovascular fitness
• Proactive management of symptoms (spasm, fatigue, continence)
• Your functional goals eg getting in/out of car, climbing stairs, walking speed or endurance

Research shows that regular exercise can improve walking speed^2,4,5 and balance^6,7 in people with MS while also reducing fatigue^2,7 and enhancing mental well-being^3,7,8.  There is also accumulating evidence indicating a reduction in relapses in people with relapsing-remitting MS^1,9; slowing the disability progressions and possible disease modifying effects ^1,6,10.

1. Pilutti LA, Greenlee T, Moti RW, Latimer-Cheung AE. The safety of exercise training in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. J Neurol Sci. 2014; 343 (1-2); 3-7.
2. Taul-Madsen L, Connolly L, Dennett R, Freeman J, Dalgas U, Hvid LG. Is aerobic or resistance training the most effective modality for improving lower extremity physical function and perceived fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis> A systematic review and meta-anaylsis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2021; 102(10):2032-2048.
3. Dalgas U, Stenager E, SLoth , Stenager E. The effect of exercise on depresive symptoms in multiple sclerosis based on a meta-anaylsis and critcal review of the literature. Eur J Neurol. 2015: 22(3); E443-E434.
4. Charron S, McKay KA, Tremlett H. Physical Activity and disability outcomes in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review (2011-2016). Multi Scler Relat Disord. 2018; 20:169-177.
5. Pearson M, Dieberg G, Smart N. Exercise as a therapy for improvement of walking ability in adults with multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015; 96(7):1339-1348.
6. Kjolhede T, Vissing K, Dalgas U. Multiple Sclerosis and progressive resistance training: A systematic review. Mult Scler. 2012; 18(9): 1215-1228.
7. Sanchez-Lastra MA, Martinez-Aldao D, Molina AJ, Ayan C. Pilates for people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-anaylsis. Mult Scler Realt Disord. 2019; 28:199-212.
8. Shohani M, Kazemi F, Rahmati S, Azami M. The effect of yoga on the quality of life and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2020; 39:101087.
9. Rooney S, Albalawi H, Paul L. Exercise in the management of multiple sclerosis relapses: Current evidence and future perspectives. Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2020; 10(2):103-115.
10. Hempel S, Graham GD, Fu N et al. A Systematic review of the effects of modifiable risk factor interventions on the progression of multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2017; 23(4): 513-524.