Resistance training increases cortical thickness in RRMS: results of a pilot study

Background: Changes of structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measures following exercise interventions such as progressive resistance training (PRT) would represent a substantial indicator that the well known effects in healthy and other disease can also be shown in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We...

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Published in:Clinical neuroradiology (Munich) 2015-09, Vol.25 (S1), p.62
Main Authors: Siemonsen, S, Stellmann, J.-p, Kjolhede, T, Wenzel, D, Ringgaard, S, Pedersen, B.G, Stenager, E, Petersen, T, Heesen, C, Vissing, K, Dalgas, U, Fiehler, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brain damage
Exercise therapy
Multiple sclerosis
Weight training
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Summary:Background: Changes of structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measures following exercise interventions such as progressive resistance training (PRT) would represent a substantial indicator that the well known effects in healthy and other disease can also be shown in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We sought to evaluate the effects of PRT on global brain volumes and regional cortical thickness. Methods: This study was a 24-week randomised controlled trial, with a training (n = 17, 24 weeks of supervised PRT) and a waitlist group (n = 12, continuing habitual lifestyle). During an extension of 24 weeks the waitlist group were offered the same PRT program. Three cranial MRIs (T1w, T2w images) were obtained on a 1.5 Tesla scanner. Standard atrophy measures included global volumes, lesion load and percentage brain volume change (PBVC). Cortical thickness estimates were processed by FreeSurfer. Thickness of each cortical segment was compared pairwise before and after PRT for all patients. Cortical thickness changes through PRT were compared between the two groups. All analyses were corrected for age and gender as well as for multiple testing. Results: EDSS and T2 lesion load, global volumes and PBVC were not significantly altered after PRT and did not differ between the two groups. A higher absolute cortical thickness was found in nine cortical regions (p < 0.05) after PRT. The superior part of the precentral sulcus and the occipito-temporal lateral fusiform gyrus could be confirmed when comparing relative cortical thickness changes between both groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PRT seems to induce a measurable increase in cortical thickness of the precentral sulcus and fusiform gyrus. Our findings indicate that exercise interventions might have a neuroprotective or even neuroregenerative effect in MS.
ISSN:1869-1439