Abstract
Objective: To compare effects of an intermittent and continuous walking program on walking endurance and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) Design: A randomized crossover prospective study Setting: An outpatient rehabilitation clinic Patients: A convenience sample of 12 participants with MS (median Expanded Disability Status Scale = 3.0, interquartile range [IQR] 3.25); 9 participants completed the study. Interventions: The intervention consisted of eight 6-minute-long walks (2x/week for 4 weeks). The continuous condition consisted of 6 continuous minutes of walking. The intermittent condition consisted of three 2-minute bouts with 2-minute rests. After a 4-week detraining period, participants performed the second training condition. Main Outcome Measurements: Outcomes included fatigue severity scale (FSS), the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and the difference in a 100-mm visual analog scale of fatigue (δVAS-F) measured immediately before and after the 6MWT. Results: The 6MWT distance increased after intermittent training (43.6 m, p = .013) and decreased after continuous training (-18.0 m, p = .362). The FSS decreased after intermittent training (p = .032) but not after continuous training. No differences were found in δVAS-F. Conclusion: Intermittent training was superior to continuous training in improving walking and fatigue. Intermittent walking training should be considered to improve walking endurance and decrease fatigue in people with MS. © 2016 by Begell House, Inc.