Physical activity may help counter the debilitating physical symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and delay the associated cognitive impairment, researchers have found.

The Lerner Research Institute and Case Western Reserve University’s (CWRU) nursing school in Cleveland, USA, have developed a 24-week programme of home-based exercise for people with the autoimmune disease, which has shown to help sufferers maintain usage of their hands and arms and their ability to walk and balance.

The programme takes the form of a series of pamphlets which target each individual’s physical activity levels and builds from slower, shorter exercise periods to longer, more difficult routines.

MS, which is thought to be caused by an abnormal immune response that attacks the central nervous system, affects around 2.3m people worldwide. Along with pain and tiredness, other symptoms include numbness and tingling, weakness, dizziness, feelings of stiffness, vision problems and walking difficulties.

The programme was developed on the back of research by Bess Marcus, from the Department of Family and Preventative Medicine at the University of California in San Diego.

Marcus’ work focused on increasing the motivation to exercise and taking people through the five stages of readiness to exercise: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance of an exercise programme.

Of the 30 sufferers who took part in the pilot study, all showed improvements in physical function and a reduction in symptom severity, according to CWRU assistant professor Matthew Plow, who is also an exercise trainer for people with MS. He said the programme was well received by those who had been previously been exercise-shy .

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