170. Physical Activity and Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Patients with Multiple sclerosis (MS) usually suffer from impairment in functioning ability and have a limited level of activity. Physical exercise can help improve different areas of cardio respiratory fitness, muscle strength, balance, flexibility and reduce the fatigue in MS patients. This prospective study included patients from the Neurology Department at Habib Bourguiba hospital in Sfax, Tunisia. We included 30 patients randomised into two groups: the first group consisted of 15 MS patients who did not engage in physical activity, while the second group included 15 MS patients who participated in physical training sessions lasting 50-60 minutes each, with a frequency of 3 sessions per week for 12 weeks. Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the score was calculated both before and after the physical activity, as well as compared between the two groups. The mean age of the participants was 33.59±10.18 years ranging from 19 to 55 years. We found a female predominance with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.48. Most of the patients had moderate symptoms and 63.2% had an EDSS score ≤2. Mean FSS before and after physical activity was 3,78 ± 1,61 and 2.99 ±0.5 respectively. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.208). When comparing the two groups, we found that FSS was inferior in the group who performed regular physical activity (Δ =-0.054). However, the difference was not statistically significant. Physical exercise seems to improve quality of life and disability in MS patients. It may reduce fatigue sensation but this effect remains uncertain and larger studies seem to be needed.