Effect of Resistance Training on Psychophysiological Indicators in People With Multiple Sclerosis

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of a 20-week progressive resistance training program on psychophysiological parameters in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study compares a resistance-training intervention group with an active control group performing stretching and relaxation exercises, aiming to determine changes in hormonal, immunological, motor, and psychological outcomes. MS is a chronic, immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, associated with neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and significant variability in clinical presentation. Common symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and motor impairment severely impact quality of life. Research suggests that exercise can promote neuroprotection, modulate inflammatory processes, and improve both physical and psychological well-being in this population. The intervention is based on established exercise guidelines for mild to moderate MS and is adapted from protocols demonstrating safety and feasibility in this population. It seeks to investigate simultaneous effects on circulating biomarkers - including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, vitamin D, cortisol, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) - alongside functional capacity, muscle strength, body composition, and validated measures of fatigue, quality of life, anxiety, depression, motivation, and habitual physical activity. Assessments are conducted before and after the intervention period, with all laboratory analyses performed under standardized fasting and sample-processing conditions. Functional and psychological measures are obtained using validated instruments for the Brazilian population. Participants are monitored to ensure high adherence rates, with makeup sessions provided when possible. This trial addresses a gap in the literature by jointly evaluating neurotrophic, hormonal, motor, and psychological responses to structured exercise in Brazilian individuals with MS, and by including an active control condition to account for the potential influence of social interaction and attention. The findings may inform future rehabilitation strategies and complement pharmacological management, contributing to improved patient outcomes.