Abstract
The objective of our study was to perform a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the effects of three strictly monitored exercise programs (SMEP) compared to “usual care” (UCP) in a cohort of ALS patients. We included patients with definite and probable ALS and disease duration ≤24 months. Patients were randomized to receive a SMEPs or a UCP. SMEPs included three subgroups of treatment: active exercises associated with cycloergometer activity (1A), only active (1B) and passive (1C) exercises, respectively. Moreover, SMEP patients and their caregivers were trained to a daily home-based passive exercise program. The UCP group was treated with passive and stretching exercises twice weekly. The treatment period for both groups was 6 months (T180), and patients were assessed by revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), % Forced Vital Capacity (FVC %), and McGill Quality of Life (MGQoL) questionnaire. ALSFRS-R score was also evaluated at 6 months after the treatment period (T360). Sixty ALS patients were randomly assigned to one of two arms: SMEP Group included 30 patients, ten subjects for each subgroup (1A, 1B, and 1C); 30 patients were included in the UCP Group. At T180 and T360, SMEPs group had significantly higher ALSFRS-R score compared to the UCP group (32.8 ± 6.5 vs 28.7 ± 7.5, p = 0.0298; 27.5 ± 7.6 vs 23.3 ± 7.6, p = 0.0338, respectively). No effects of SMEPs on survival, respiratory decline and MGQol were found. In conclusion, although no effect on survival was demonstrated, our data suggest that a strictly monitored exercise program may significantly reduce motor deterioration in ALS patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 52-60 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Neurology |
| Volume | 263 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 1 2016 |
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Keywords
- ALSFRS-R
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Cycloergometer
- Exercise
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neurology
Cite this
Strictly monitored exercise programs reduce motor deterioration in ALS : preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial. / Lunetta, Christian; Lizio, Andrea; Sansone, Valeria A.; Cellotto, Nadia Maria; Maestri, Eleonora; Bettinelli, Massimo; Gatti, Valentina; Melazzini, Mario Giovanni; Meola, Giovanni; Corbo, Massimo.
In: Journal of Neurology, Vol. 263, No. 1, 01.01.2016, p. 52-60.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Strictly monitored exercise programs reduce motor deterioration in ALS
T2 - preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial
AU - Lunetta, Christian
AU - Lizio, Andrea
AU - Sansone, Valeria A.
AU - Cellotto, Nadia Maria
AU - Maestri, Eleonora
AU - Bettinelli, Massimo
AU - Gatti, Valentina
AU - Melazzini, Mario Giovanni
AU - Meola, Giovanni
AU - Corbo, Massimo
PY - 2016/1/1
Y1 - 2016/1/1
N2 - The objective of our study was to perform a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the effects of three strictly monitored exercise programs (SMEP) compared to “usual care” (UCP) in a cohort of ALS patients. We included patients with definite and probable ALS and disease duration ≤24 months. Patients were randomized to receive a SMEPs or a UCP. SMEPs included three subgroups of treatment: active exercises associated with cycloergometer activity (1A), only active (1B) and passive (1C) exercises, respectively. Moreover, SMEP patients and their caregivers were trained to a daily home-based passive exercise program. The UCP group was treated with passive and stretching exercises twice weekly. The treatment period for both groups was 6 months (T180), and patients were assessed by revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), % Forced Vital Capacity (FVC %), and McGill Quality of Life (MGQoL) questionnaire. ALSFRS-R score was also evaluated at 6 months after the treatment period (T360). Sixty ALS patients were randomly assigned to one of two arms: SMEP Group included 30 patients, ten subjects for each subgroup (1A, 1B, and 1C); 30 patients were included in the UCP Group. At T180 and T360, SMEPs group had significantly higher ALSFRS-R score compared to the UCP group (32.8 ± 6.5 vs 28.7 ± 7.5, p = 0.0298; 27.5 ± 7.6 vs 23.3 ± 7.6, p = 0.0338, respectively). No effects of SMEPs on survival, respiratory decline and MGQol were found. In conclusion, although no effect on survival was demonstrated, our data suggest that a strictly monitored exercise program may significantly reduce motor deterioration in ALS patients.
AB - The objective of our study was to perform a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the effects of three strictly monitored exercise programs (SMEP) compared to “usual care” (UCP) in a cohort of ALS patients. We included patients with definite and probable ALS and disease duration ≤24 months. Patients were randomized to receive a SMEPs or a UCP. SMEPs included three subgroups of treatment: active exercises associated with cycloergometer activity (1A), only active (1B) and passive (1C) exercises, respectively. Moreover, SMEP patients and their caregivers were trained to a daily home-based passive exercise program. The UCP group was treated with passive and stretching exercises twice weekly. The treatment period for both groups was 6 months (T180), and patients were assessed by revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), % Forced Vital Capacity (FVC %), and McGill Quality of Life (MGQoL) questionnaire. ALSFRS-R score was also evaluated at 6 months after the treatment period (T360). Sixty ALS patients were randomly assigned to one of two arms: SMEP Group included 30 patients, ten subjects for each subgroup (1A, 1B, and 1C); 30 patients were included in the UCP Group. At T180 and T360, SMEPs group had significantly higher ALSFRS-R score compared to the UCP group (32.8 ± 6.5 vs 28.7 ± 7.5, p = 0.0298; 27.5 ± 7.6 vs 23.3 ± 7.6, p = 0.0338, respectively). No effects of SMEPs on survival, respiratory decline and MGQol were found. In conclusion, although no effect on survival was demonstrated, our data suggest that a strictly monitored exercise program may significantly reduce motor deterioration in ALS patients.
KW - ALSFRS-R
KW - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
KW - Cycloergometer
KW - Exercise
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84955750621&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84955750621&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00415-015-7924-z
DO - 10.1007/s00415-015-7924-z
M3 - Article
VL - 263
SP - 52
EP - 60
JO - Journal of Neurology
JF - Journal of Neurology
SN - 0340-5354
IS - 1
ER -