Het effect van sport op Multiple Sclerose: literatuuronderzoek, bevindingen van patiënten en professionals

In the past people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) were advised to avoid exercise and sports in fear of excessive fatigue and increase of impairments. In recent years different studies reported positive effects of exercising on MS. In scientific publications and in the opinion of healthcare professionals the effect of sports on MS is not very clear. This study consist of three parts, 1.) An overview of the scientific literature from 1990 to 2015, 2.) A survey among patients concerning their current and past sports activities, 3.) Healthcare professionals were interviewed in order to identify the advices on sport activities for patients suffering from MS. Eleven intervention studies concerning sports were included in the overview of scientific literature with positive effects on pain, fatigue, spasticity, walking impairment, balance impairment, or depression. These sports were aquatic exercise, cycling, climbing and horseback riding. No adverse effects or complications were described because of sports. The survey was filled in by 23 persons with MS. Most of these patients reported to be active in aerobics, fitness, or cardio training. Their illness was reported as most important reason for refraining from sports. The professionals reported that individual wishes and possibilities of the patient with MS are the most important issues in case they advise a MS patient on sport activities. No sports wishes have to be discouraged to MS patients. The studied sports in literature did not come up in the small survey nor in the advices of the healthcare professionals. Publication in journals or websites for both target groups and educational presentations can help practice to adjust to science.