Effectiveness of Resistance Training on Multiple Sclerosis-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review.

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience impaired muscular fitness and fatigue. Exercise is known to help maintain muscle fitness and alleviate fatigue, with resistance training being recommended as a potential intervention. However, due to the variety of resistance exercises used and inconsistencies in the results obtained, an evidence-based systematic review is needed to synthesize the effectiveness of this intervention. This study was designed to synthesize the current research on the effectiveness of resistance training in improving muscle fitness and reducing fatigue in patients with MS. A systematic review was conducted in March 2024, with five English and Chinese databases searched using keywords related to MS, resistance training, and fatigue. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and a total of five studies met the inclusion criteria. A quality appraisal of the included studies was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool for evaluating RCTs. The five RCTs included in this systematic review examined different resistance training protocols, including high-intensity, fast-velocity concentric, high-intensity eccentric, and respiratory muscle resistance training. Overall, the results indicate resistance training led to better muscular fitness improvements in terms of muscle strength, endurance, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and fatigue reduction. However, statistical significance was achieved in only some of the studies. Resistance training appears to be beneficial in improving muscle fitness and reducing fatigue in patients with MS, even though only some of the studies achieved statistical significance. The current evidence is weak due to the limited number of published studies and the small sample sizes and diversity in training protocols used. Further systematic reviews are needed to update findings as more research becomes available. Clinically, resistance training may be considered as part of exercise recommendations for MS patients, and outcomes should be monitored.