Yoga May Help Reduce Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

A new study conducted by the University of Basel in Switzerland and Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in Iran suggests that Yoga and aquatic exercise may reduce certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis such as fatigue, depression and paresthesia. Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic progressive auto-immune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the nervous tissue, potentially resulting in movement disorders. Other typical symptoms of MS include physical and mental fatigue as well as faintness, depression and paresthesia such as pins and needles, itchiness and numbness, researchers said.For the study, researchers put to task 54 women suffering from multiple sclerosis with an average age of 34 to one of the three groups - yoga, aquatic exercise or no exercise. Before and after the trial, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about their symptoms. All patients continued with their existing treatment, including any medication taken to regulate the immune system. "Exercise training programmes should be considered in the future as possible complements to standard MS treatments," said researchers.With the random trial conducted, it showed that the underlying symptoms significantly improved after an eight-week yoga and aquatic exercise programme. In comparison to the control group, fatigue, depression and paresthesia were significantly reduced in patients who took part in a training programme that was held three times a week, according to the researchers. In the non-exercising group, the likelihood of moderate to severe depression was 35-fold higher than in the groups who had practiced yoga or aquatic exercise.
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