Objective: To evaluate the effects of exercise training on upper extremity physical function and physiological fitness outcomes in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
Methods: A search of 3 electronic databases (EMBASE, CINAHL, and ovidMEDLINE) was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The included studies were randomized control trials that reported at least one outcome measure related to upper extremity function, contained a component of exercise training, and included PwMS.
Results: Of the 1381 articles retrieved from the electronic databases, 8 articles met the specific inclusion criteria. All the included articles incorporated strength training exercises into the rehabilitation intervention. Reported outcomes included the 9 Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment, with 3, 3, and 0 reporting significant improvements, respectively. Only grip strength was included as a physiological fitness outcome, with 2 articles reporting significant improvements.
Conclusion: The results of this review suggest that strength training may elicit improvements in functional and physiological upper extremity outcomes for PwMS. Several limitations of the current review must be noted, including a limited number of studies and the combination of strength training with other rehabilitative modalities.
Keywords: exercise; function; multiple sclerosis; strength training; upper extremity.
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