THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON FATIGUE IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

The aim of this study is to show the effect of exercise on fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Exercise or remedial gymnastics is a commonly used non-pharmacological method of treatment of fatigue in patients with MS. A positive effect of exercise on the reduction of fatigue in patients with MS is expected. Data on patients and nature of the disease were obtained by reviewing medical documentation and patient survey feedback. The 62 patients who met the inclusion criteria filled out the MFIS questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of a one-month study. Individually-adapted relaxation, stretching, breathing, strength, coordination and balance exercises were implemented, as well as aerobic and neurophysiological exercises, 3 times per week (12 treatments). In the test group, fatigue which affects physical functioning was reduced averagely by 0.77, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.165). In the control group, the values were increased averagely by 0.23, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.338). Among the subjects who exercised, fatigue which affects cognitive functioning was reduced averagely by 0.90, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.224). In the control group, an increase of averagely 0.45 was recorded, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.365). Among the subjects who exercised, fatigue that affects patients' psychosocial functioning was reduced averagely by 0.10, but the difference was not determined (p=0.368). In the control group, fatigue was increased averagely by 0.16, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.323). In patients who exercised, the total score of MFIS was decreased averagely by 1.84, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.181). In the control group, an increase of 0.87 was recorded, however, not statistically significant (p=0.335). Physical exercise had an expected positive effect on fatigue measured by the MFIS questionnaire in all its aspects (cognitive, psychosocial and physical), as well as the total score, but considering the small number of subjects and a short period of research, the difference is not statistically significant.