Effect of Light-Intensity Cycle Ergometer Aerobic Exercise on 2-Min Walking Test Distance and Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Myasthenia Gravis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: 

Fatigue and impaired functional capacity are more likely to be observed with myasthenia gravis (MG). MG prevalence in the Indonesian population is still limited. MG can benefit from participating in aerobic exercise without causing a decline in function, but relatively few exercise training studies have been conducted in this group of patients. This study analyzed how light-intensity cycle ergometer aerobic exercise influences functional and aerobic capacity in MG.

Methods: 

An 8-week randomized controlled trial using a light-intensity cycle ergometer for aerobic exercise three times a week was carried out on adult patients with MG Foundation of America Class I-IIa, and adult patients. Eighteen MG patients were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group (standard exercise training). Two-min walking tests (2MWTs) distance and maximum oxygen uptake (VO_2Max) were measured before and after the 8-week intervention. VO_2Max was calculated from the 2MWT formula. A t-test was used to compare 2MWT distance and VO_2Max within and between groups with a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results: 

Light intensity cycle ergometer aerobic exercise significantly improved the functional and aerobic capacity in the intervention group at 8 weeks (2MWT distance P = 0.001 and VO_2MaxP = 0.001) but not in the control group (P = 0.523 and P = 0.575, respectively). Substantial changes were also found between groups in both 2MWT distances (P = 0.002; effect size = 1.75) and VO_2Max (P = 0.001; effect size = 1.81) pre- and post-test.

Conclusion: 

Eight weeks of light-intensity cycle ergometer aerobic exercise improves the functional and aerobic capacity of adult MG patients.