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Yoga Eases MS Symptoms
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MONDAY, June 14 (HealthDayNews) -- After doing yoga for six months, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) had a significant reduction in fatigue. That finding comes from an Oregon Health & Science University study, the first randomized controlled trial of yoga in people with MS. While yoga eased tiredness, it didn't have any effect on alertness, attention or other measures of cognitive function, the study found. The researchers concluded yoga was as effective as a traditional aerobic exercise program in improving measures of fatigue, which is a common and potentially disabling symptom of MS. The 90-minute yoga classes were held once a week. Participants were taught up to 19 yoga poses and also did breathing, visualization and meditation exercises. They were encouraged to practice each day at home. Another group of MS patients took part in weekly aerobic exercise classes and also did aerobics at home each day. People in both the yoga and aerobic exercise groups had reduced MS-related fatigue symptoms. It's not clear how it works, the study said. One of the study authors said any kind of exercise seems to help. "This is true whether the regular exercise is yoga, swimming, using a stationary bicycle or any other physical activity. Sometimes the effects are quite dramatic and other times less so. But everyone with MS who exercises regularly reports benefit," study co-author Dr. Dennis Bourdette, a professor of neurology and director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Oregon, said in a prepared statement. The study appeared in the current issue of Neurology. More information The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has more about exercise and MS.
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