Abstract
Background
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition that impairs quality of life. While disease-modifying therapies are the primary treatment, resistance training has emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention to enhance both physical and mental health aspects of quality of life.
Objective
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated effects of resistance training on physical and mental health components of quality of life, as well as overall quality of life, in people with multiple sclerosis.
Methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Scopus, Medline, and SPORTDiscus to identify randomized and non-randomized trials assessing the impact of resistance training on quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis. Data from 13 studies were synthesized with random-effects meta-analyses.
Results
Resistance training improved overall quality of life (standardized mean difference = 1.25; 95% confidence interval: 0.03 to 2.47, p=0.045), physical health (standardized mean difference = 0.29; 95% confidence interval: 0.05 to 0.53, p=0.017), and mental health (standardized mean difference = 0.23; 95% confidence interval: −0.11 to 0.56, p=0.184). No association was found between study duration and effect size in the meta-regression.
Conclusions
Resistance training shows potential to improve quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis, particularly in physical and mental health domains. However, the effects were inconsistent and not statistically significant for mental health. Further high-quality, standardized, and adequately powered trials are needed to confirm these findings and inform clinical practice.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition that impairs quality of life. While disease-modifying therapies are the primary treatment, resistance training has emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention to enhance both physical and mental health aspects of quality of life.
Objective
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated effects of resistance training on physical and mental health components of quality of life, as well as overall quality of life, in people with multiple sclerosis.
Methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Scopus, Medline, and SPORTDiscus to identify randomized and non-randomized trials assessing the impact of resistance training on quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis. Data from 13 studies were synthesized with random-effects meta-analyses.
Results
Resistance training improved overall quality of life (standardized mean difference = 1.25; 95% confidence interval: 0.03 to 2.47, p=0.045), physical health (standardized mean difference = 0.29; 95% confidence interval: 0.05 to 0.53, p=0.017), and mental health (standardized mean difference = 0.23; 95% confidence interval: −0.11 to 0.56, p=0.184). No association was found between study duration and effect size in the meta-regression.
Conclusions
Resistance training shows potential to improve quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis, particularly in physical and mental health domains. However, the effects were inconsistent and not statistically significant for mental health. Further high-quality, standardized, and adequately powered trials are needed to confirm these findings and inform clinical practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | The American Journal of Medicine |
| Early online date | 6 Apr 2026 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 6 Apr 2026 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
-
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Keywords
- MS
- multiple sclerosis
- strength
- resistance straining
- muscle
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'The effect of resistance training on quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Cite this
- APA
- Author
- BIBTEX
- Harvard
- Standard
- RIS
- Vancouver