The Effect of Aerobic Training on Anxiety, Depression, and Some Related Hormones in Middle-Aged Women with Multiple Sclerosis

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Exercise Physiology Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

2 Department of Neurology, Poursina Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

10.22080/jaep.2024.27114.2180

Abstract

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive and demyelinating disease that can cause cognitive disorders such as anxiety and depression by changing the levels of hormones of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Therefore, the aim of this study was the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic training on the serum concentration of cortisol, dopamine, anxiety and depression in women with MS.
Methods: Twenty-six female patients with relapsing-remitting MS with an EDSS score between 0 and 5.5 who referred to the neurology clinic of Rasht University of Medical Sciences were divided into aerobic training and a control groups. The levels of depression and anxiety were assessed with Beck's 21-question questionnaire. During eight weeks, aerobic training started from two days a week and reached three days a week at the end of the course. Also, serum cortisol and dopamine levels were evaluated before and after the training period. The data was analyzed using covariance statistical method at the level of p<0.05.
 Results: The results of this research showed that the levels of cortisol, dopamine and anxiety did not change significantly during eight weeks of aerobic exercise, but depression levels improved during this period (P=0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, 8 weeks of aerobic training improves depression in MS patients, but it has no effect on anxiety and the level of physiological indicators, including the serum concentration of dopamine and cortisol.

Keywords

Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology
Volume 19, Issue 38
February 2024
Pages 69-86

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 May 2024
  • Revise Date: 31 July 2024
  • Accept Date: 05 October 2024

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