TUESDAY, April 8 (HealthScoutNews) -- Yoga and exercise help reduce fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a Oregon Health and Science University study says.
Researchers divided 69 people with MS into three groups for six months. The first group did weekly Iyengar yoga classes adapted for people with MS. The second group did weekly exercise classes -- including workouts on stationary bikes and home exercise -- that were also tailored to people with MS.
The third group maintained their normal activity levels. After six months, they were given the chance to enroll in the yoga or exercise classes.
The study participants were monitored for changes in their cognitive function, fatigue and quality of life. Yoga and exercise had no effect on cognitive function. However, the people taking the yoga or exercise classes did show significant improvement in their levels of fatigue.
The findings were presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in Honolulu.
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