TY - JOUR T1 - Short-term aerobic training does not improve memory functioning in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis – a randomized controlled trial JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/366161 SP - 366161 AU - L Baquet AU - H Hasselmann AU - S Patra AU - JP Stellmann AU - E Vettorazzi AU - AK Engel AU - S Rosenkranz AU - J Poettgen AU - SM Gold AU - KH Schulz AU - C Heesen Y1 - 2018/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2018/07/11/366161.abstract N2 - Background Only few aerobic exercise intervention trials specifically targeting cognitive functioning have been performed in MS.Objective and methods This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in relapsing-remitting MS. The primary outcome was verbal memory (Verbal learning and memory test, VLMT). Patients were randomized to an intervention group (IG) program or a waitlist control group (CG). Patients in the IG exercised according to an individually tailored training schedule (with 2-3 sessions per week for 12 weeks). The primary analysis was carried out using the intention-to-treat (ITT) sample with ANCOVA adjusting for baseline scores.Results 77 RRMS patients were screened and 68 participants randomized (CG n=34; IG n=34). The sample comprised 68% females, had a mean age of 39 years, a mean disease duration of 6.3 years, and a mean EDSS of 1.8. No significant effects were detected in the ITT analysis for the primary endpoint VLMT or any other cognitive measures. Moreover, no significant treatment effects were observed for quality of life, fatigue, or depressive symptoms.Conclusion This study failed to demonstrate beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in RRMS.The trial was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02005237). ER -