Project description:BackgroundIn persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), the effect of nutrition on exercise performance and fatigue remains unknown. The objective was to determine whether a 3-day diet high in triglycerides (FAT) compared with a 3-day diet high in carbohydrates (CARB) would improve fatigue and exercise performance in persons with MS.MethodsA randomized controlled crossover design was incorporated to study FAT versus CARB on submaximal cycling endurance (60% of peak oxygen consumption), substrate utilization, and fatigue in 12 persons with mild-to-moderate MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 2.0-5.0) and 12 age- and sex-matched controls.ResultsThere were no differences in cycling time between diets in either group (P = .29). The MS group had no changes in fatigue between diets (P = .64); the control group demonstrated increased total mental fatigue after FAT (P = .05). The control group increased carbohydrate oxidation by 24% at rest and 13% during exercise after CARB. Similarly, the control group significantly increased fat oxidation after FAT by 22% at rest and 68% during exercise (P = .01). These changes were not seen in the MS group. Compared with controls, persons with MS oxidized approximately 50% less fat during exercise after FAT (P = .05).ConclusionsNeither CARB nor FAT altered submaximal exercise performance or baseline fatigue in the MS group. The results suggest that persons with MS are unable to adapt to dietary changes and oxidize fatty acids as efficiently as controls.
Project description:BackgroundDietary factors have been discussed to influence risk or disease course of multiple sclerosis (MS). Specific diets are widely used among patients with MS.ObjectiveTo design and pilot-test an evidence based patient education program on dietary factors in MS.MethodsWe performed a systematic literature search on the effectiveness of dietary interventions in MS. A web-based survey among 337 patients with MS and 136 healthy controls assessed knowledge, dietary habits and information needs. An interactive group education program was developed and pilot-tested.ResultsFifteen randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the systematic review. Quality of evidence was low and no clear benefit could be seen. Patients with MS significantly more often adhered to a `Mediterranean Diet`(29.7% versus 14.0%, p<0.001) compared to controls. 143 (42%) of the patients with MS had tried special MS diets. Important information needs addressed effectiveness of MS diets (44%) and relation between nutrition and MS (43%). A pilot test of our newly developed patient education program with 13 participants showed excellent comprehensibility and the MS-specific content was judged as very important. However, the poor evidence base for dietary approaches in MS was perceived disappointing.ConclusionsDevelopment and pilot-testing of an evidence-based patient education program on nutrition and MS is feasible. Patient satisfaction with the program suffers from the lack of evidence. Further research should focus on generating evidence for the potential influence of lifestyle habits (diet, physical activity) on MS disease course thus meeting the needs of patients with MS.
Project description:BackgroundThere are approximately 1 million adults in the United States with multiple sclerosis (MS). Persons with MS are interested in diet as a second-line therapy for improving MS symptoms and disease progression. Examination of desired resources regarding diet among persons with MS is necessary for supporting behavior change.MethodsTwenty-five adults with MS completed 1-on-1, online semistructured interviews. An inductive, 6-phase, semantic thematic analysis was applied to identify themes associated with participant preferences for dietary behavior change.ResultsThe research team crafted 4 key themes from the data that encompassed participants' desired resources for dietary behavior change. Theme 1, MS-specific evidence, involved the need for clear information about the impact of diet regimens or specific foods on MS. Theme 2, dietary guidelines, was related to guidelines provided by a reliable source such as a registered dietitian. Theme 3, behavioral supports, underscored the need for support for behavior change, including accountability, self-monitoring, motivation, habituation, and incremental changes. Theme 4, diet resources, highlighted tangible resources for supporting dietary change, including recipes, food lists, meal services, or games.ConclusionsThis study provides a foundation for guiding dietary interventions for persons with MS that incorporates their needs and preferences and could improve their overall health. Such dietary change can be facilitated by theory-based behavioral interventions that incorporate behavior change techniques such as self-monitoring and goal setting for supporting behavior change.
Project description:Background: Interest in comorbidities has increased in the past few years, but the effect of comorbidities on outcomes of multiple sclerosis (MS) neurorehabilitation interventions is unclear. The aim of this review was to identify and summarize the existing evidence regarding the effect of comorbidities on outcomes of neurorehabilitation interventions targeting people with MS. Methods: Five databases (Embase, MEDLINE through Ovid, PubMed Central, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science) were searched using index terms and keywords relating to MS and a wide range of rehabilitation interventions. Studies screened were limited to English-language randomized controlled trials. Information related to included and excluded comorbidities and how they were reported and described was extracted from the included studies. Results: Fifty-four neurorehabilitation randomized controlled trials were included and were grouped into categories: robotics/technology-enhanced (n = 7), task-oriented training/neurorehabilitation principles (n = 7), electrical stimulation (n = 12), temperature regulation (n = 6), magnetic field therapy (n = 5), vibration (n = 9), and miscellaneous (n = 8). Although the issue of comorbidity was considered in 40 studies, it was limited to excluding individuals from participating in the trials. Only two studies reported on comorbidity, but neither examined the possible mediating or moderating effect of comorbidities on intervention outcomes. Conclusions: This review documents important knowledge gaps about the effect of comorbidity on neurorehabilitation outcomes and identifies a critical need for future studies to address this issue. Without this information, we limit our understanding of the mechanisms of comorbidity and its effects on relevant clinical and research outcomes specific to neurorehabilitation.
Project description:BackgroundSleep disturbances are common in individuals with multiple sclerosis. The objective of this systematic review was to determine effective behavioral interventions to improve their sleep.MethodsLiterature searches were performed in December 2021 in Ovid MEDLINE, Elsevier Embase, and Web of Science, along with hand searching for grey literature and cited references. Four reviewers independently reviewed titles and abstracts (2 reviewers for each article; n = 830) and the full-text articles (n = 81). Consensus for inclusion was achieved by a fifth reviewer. Thirty-seven articles were eligible for inclusion. Four reviewers extracted relevant data from each study (2 reviewers for each article) using a standard data extraction table. Consensus was achieved for completeness and accuracy of the data extraction table by a fifth reviewer. The same 4 reviewers conducted a quality appraisal of each article to assess the risk of bias and quality of the articles, and consensus was achieved by a fifth reviewer as needed. Descriptive data were used for types of interventions, sleep outcomes, results, and key components across interventions.ResultsOverall, the cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy/psychotherapy, and education/self-management support interventions reported positive improvements in sleep outcomes. Quality appraisal scores ranged from low to high, indicating potential for bias.ConclusionsVariability in the intervention type, intervention dose, outcomes used, training/expertise of interventionist, specific sample, and study quality made it difficult to compare and synthesize results. Further research is necessary to demonstrate the efficacy of most of the interventions.
Project description:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The role of diet in the progression of MS and severity of symptoms remains unclear. Various systematic literature reviews (SRs) have reported the effects of single nutrients on MS progression or the role of dietary factors on specific symptoms of MS. Narrative reviews have examined the effects of various dietary patterns in MS populations. An umbrella review was undertaken to collate the findings from review articles and evaluate the strength of the scientific evidence of dietary interventions for people living with MS. Scientific databases including MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library were systematically searched up to April 2019. Review articles and meta-analyses were included if they examined the effect of any dietary intervention in adult populations with MS. Outcomes included MS progression indicated by relapses, disability, MRI activity and disease classification, and MS symptoms. Characteristics and findings from both review articles and their included primary studies were extracted and summarized. A total of 19 SRs and 43 narrative reviews were included. Vitamin D and PUFAs were the most commonly studied interventions. Across SR studies, vitamin D supplementation had no significant effect on relapses, MRI, or disability progression; however, an inverse association was found between vitamin D status and disability scores through observational studies. Effects of PUFA supplementation on major outcomes of MS progression were inconsistent across review articles. Other interventions less commonly studied included vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplementation and varying dietary patterns. Strong consistent evidence is lacking for dietary interventions in persons with MS. The body of evidence is primarily focused around the isolation of individual nutrients, many of which demonstrate no effect on major outcomes of MS progression. Stronger food-focused studies are required to strengthen the evidence.
Project description:BackgroundPeople with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently report implementing dietary strategies as part of their personal wellness programs; however, little is known about the perceived themes of healthy behavior change in people with MS.MethodsSemistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with 20 women with MS enrolled in 2 different restrictive dietary intervention studies and their 18 self-identified support persons consisting of partners and adult children. Interviews were transcribed, coded, categorized, and then grouped into summative themes. The frequency of issues being mentioned as facilitators of or barriers to diet adherence was evaluated to identify possible differences in perceived experiences between women with MS and their support persons during the studies.ResultsFive qualitative themes were identified: (1) personal motivation, (2) diet components, (3) time, (4) support, and (5) resource access. Major facilitators of dietary adherence were positive support from support persons and study staff, access to resources, symptom improvement, and personal motivation. Major barriers included the novelty of the study diet, lack of cooking skills, no change in or worsening of symptoms, lack of diet knowledge, and food preferences and temptations. Symptom severity was more frequently reported as a barrier to study diet adherence among participants with secondary progressive MS.ConclusionsMethods to enhance personal motivation and ensure positive support from support persons and study staff may improve study diet adherence. Due to the unique challenges faced by people with MS, future studies should tailor interventions to their unique MS cohort to increase diet adherence.
Project description:Psoriasis was found to ameliorate multiple sclerosis (MS) outcomes when it MS onset. However, the molecular basis for this observation remains unclear. Herein, we compared the blood mononuclear cell transcriptome of psoriasis and MS comorbide (P/MS) patients with that of patients with either psoriasis or MS to understand the clinical observation.
Project description:BackgroundPersons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) might be particularly well suited to benefit from digital health applications because they are, on average, younger and less severely disabled than patients with many other chronic diseases. Many digital health applications for pwMS have been developed.ObjectivesAnalysis of the evidence of digital health applications to improve health outcomes from a patient perspective.MethodsA systematic review was performed on all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have studied mobile health interventions for pwMS, that is, which can be applied with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to improve patient-reported outcomes.ResultsOf the 1127 articles identified in the literature search, 13 RCTs fit the inclusion criteria. Two trials studied messaging systems, two depression interventions, one addressed MS fatigue, five cognition, and three mobility issues, of which two focused on spasticity management. One trial aimed to enhance physical activity. Most were pilot studies that cannot yield definitive conclusions regarding efficacy. One depression intervention and one fatigue intervention showed significant results across several outcomes.ConclusionSeveral mobile self-guided digital health applications for pwMS have been tested in RCTs, and two interventions targeting depression and fatigue have demonstrated significant effects. Challenges remain regarding implementation into routine care.