A study published in Neurology (June 8, 2004;62(11):2058–2064) explored whether yoga or aerobic exercise could help reduce symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study involved 69 participants, who were assigned to one of three groups for six months:
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A stationary bicycle exercise group
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A weekly 90-minute Iyengar yoga class (with home practice between classes)
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A control group that did not add new exercise activity
At the end of the study, both the yoga group and the aerobic exercise group experienced significant reductions in fatigue, one of the most common and challenging symptoms of MS. However, neither activity produced measurable changes in mood or cognitive function during the study period.
These findings suggest that gentle yoga and moderate exercise may help ease fatigue in individuals with MS, even though other symptoms may not change.
