Exercise Guidelines for those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Benefits of Exercise for those living with MS:
Improves Physical performance, mental functioning and wellbeing.
Improve fatigue and depressive symptoms.
Associated with reduce re-lapse rate (~27%).
Can slow disability progression.
Stimulates neuroplasticity.
Recommendations from the evidence:
Early evaluation by a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist, to create an individualised exercise and/or lifestyle physical activity plan.
Education from Healthcare providers on benefits/safety of exercise and lifestyle physical activity.
Encouragement of >150min/week of exercise and/or > 150min/week of lifestyle physical activity (taking into account comorbidities and symptom fluctuations).
How can we help at NEURO JUNCTION?
Research recommends that exercise prescription should be completed and delivered by qualified professionals. Together we would work towards an exercise programme tailored to your level of disability. Focussing on completing exercises and activities which are enjoyable for yourself are essential in treatment.
Examples of the types of activities include:
Aerobic - such as walking, recumbent hand cycling, three wheeled bike for cycling, dancing.
Advanced Aerobic - such as hiking with poles, road cycling, individual and team sport.
Resistance training - such as walking up/down stairs, reaching exercises, sit-to-stand training, neuromuscular stimulation.
Neuromotor exercises - such as posture training, coordination, agility training.
Other - such as spasticity management and respiratory muscle training.
We strive to work with clients to identify their equipment and health needs and help them work towards and meet their goals.
References:
Kalb, R. et al (2020) doi:10.1177/1352458520915629
MS Australia. https://www.msaustralia.org.au/what-is-multiple-sclerosis-ms/
Samuel Brown - Physiotherapist