Pain-Free Living

Exercise Lowers Relapse Rates for Children with MS

Children with multiple sclerosis (MS) who exercise regularly could ease their disease symptoms and improve their quality of life, according to a new study published in Neurology.

MS, which causes chronic pain in almost half of those it affects, is most common in adults, but 2% to 10% of all MS cases are in children, who may experience more relapses and more severe symptoms, including vision loss, fatigue, weakness, depression, and trouble with both memory and thinking. The cause of MS, which involves the body attacking its own myelin, is unknown. During that process, the myelin, a fat- and protein-packed layer surrounding nerves, is damaged. The only treatments thus far include of steroids and “disease-modifying” therapy to lessen the symptoms and frequency of relapses.

The study monitored 110 children between the ages of 5 and 18, 31 of whom had MS and 79 of whom had monophasic acquired demyelinating syndrome (mono-ADS). When asked about exercise habits, 45% of children with MS reported to be physically active, compared to 82% of the children with mono-ADS. The children with MS who reported partaking in physical activity were found to have lower T2 lesions on the brain (a marker of disease activity) and lower relapse rates.

Although the researchers note that the study cannot show cause and effect, it may be that children with milder forms of MS are more able to exercise. Still, the results could serve as further proof that exercise has a positive effect on brain health.

Click here to read the study’s abstract.

Last Reviewed August 20, 2015

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