ArticlePilot and feasibility studies2021
A pilot study of the impact of an exercise intervention on brain structure, cognition, and psychosocial symptoms in individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Article in Pilot and feasibility studies, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Exercise induces structural brain changes and elevates irisin levels and enhances functional performance in multiple sclerosis a pilot randomized study.Scientific reports · 2026Trial
- Neuroimaging Technology in Exercise Neurorehabilitation Research in Persons with MS: A Scoping Review.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- The Role of Nutritional Lifestyle and Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis and Management: A Narrative Review.Nutrients · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundDespite pharmacological treatment, many individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) continue to experience symptoms and medication side effects. Exercise holds promise for MS, but changes in brain structure following exercise have not been thoroughly investigated, and important cognitive and psychosocial variables are rarely primary outcomes. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether a 12-week exercise intervention would improve white matter integrity in the brain, or cognition, symptoms of fatigue, and depressed mood for individuals with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
methodThirteen participants completed 12 weeks of speeded walking. Baseline and post-intervention testing included 3T diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess white matter and neuropsychological testing to assess cognition, fatigue, and mood. Image pre-processing and analyses were performed in functional magnetic resonance imaging of the Brain Software Library.
resultsPost-intervention, there were no significant changes in white matter compared to baseline. Post-intervention, individuals with RRMS performed significantly better on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), reported fewer perceived memory problems, and endorsed less fatigue. Performance was not significantly different on Trails or Digit Span, and there were no significant changes in reports of mood.
conclusionAlthough 12 weeks of speeded walking did not improve white matter integrity, exercise may hold promise for managing some symptoms of RRMS in the context of this study population.
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Registered trials
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