| خلاصه مقاله | INTRODUCTION
Probiotics, via the gut-brain axis, are suggested to be associated with improved symptoms in Multiple sclerosis (MS).
AIM
This study investigates the effects of probiotic supplementation on depressive symptoms, cognitive outcomes and hand function in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients.
METHODS
In this parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 90 RRMS patients, with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)<4, received either the probiotic (Lactocare®) or a placebo twice daily for four months. Blinding was performed for outcome assessors and the patients. Patients with a prior clinical diagnosis of depression were excluded from the sample and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Visual information process speed (IPS) was evaluated using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and the three-second version of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT-3) was used to assess auditory IPS. Manual dexterity was assessing using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). With adjustments based on before values, the ANCOVA test was utilized to estimate the data, using the 23rd version of SPSS software.
RESULTS
Out of 90 randomized patients, 60 completed the trial (29 in the probiotics group, 31 in the placebo group). Estimated values for BDI-FS (p-value: 0.13), SDMT (p-value: 0.68), PASAT (p-value: 0.53), 9HPT-R (p-value: 0.80), 9HPT-L (p-value: 0.10), 9HPT-A (p-value: 0.65), and 9HPT-M (p-value: 0.30) did not differ significantly between the groups of the study.
CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with a seven-strain probiotics product for four months does not result in a significant improvement in cognitive outcomes, depressive symptoms, and manual dexterity in RRMS patients with EDSS<4. |