Exercise and rehabilitation may help improve physical function and quality of life for people with myasthenia gravis (MG), according to a new systematic review published in Cureus. Though more research on the best types of exercise is needed, the findings add to growing evidence challenging long-held concerns that physical activity could worsen the muscle weakness associated with the disease.
Researchers examined the available scientific literature on physical activity, exercise and rehabilitation in people with MG. The authors considered different forms of exercise and rehabilitation, including aerobic and resistance training, as well as approaches targeting respiratory function.
Overall, the evidence suggested that structured exercise programs may improve several measures of physical function, including muscle strength, endurance and the ability to perform daily activities. Some studies also reported improvements in quality of life, as well as reduced fatigue.
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Respiratory muscle training may provide additional benefits by improving respiratory muscle strength and, in some studies, measures of lung function.
The findings are consistent with previous research showing that exercise can be well tolerated in people with mild to moderate MG when programs are individually adapted.
The authors emphasized that exercise should not necessarily be viewed as a one-size-fits-all intervention. Differences in disease severity, exercise intensity, duration and type of training make it important to tailor rehabilitation programs to individual needs.
The review also points out important limitations in the current evidence. Studies of exercise in MG have generally involved relatively small numbers of participants, and exercise programs have varied considerably in their design. These differences make it difficult to establish standardized recommendations.
The authors therefore call for larger, better-designed studies to clarify which types of exercise provide the greatest benefits and how rehabilitation can best be incorporated into MG management.
“If exercise is used clinically, it should remain adjunctive to MG-directed care and individualized to current disease status and comorbidity,” the researchers concluded.
Read more about exercise and MG: “How to safely stay active with myasthenia gravis”
