The Added Value of Cognition-targeted Exercise Versus Symptom-targeted Exercise for Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue

All Standardized physical therapy exercises will be performed in a time-contingent . Goal setting is essentially done together with the patient, focussing on functionality instead of fatigue relief. Progression to a next level of (more difficult) exercises will be preceded by an intermediate phase of motor imagery. The treating physical therapist will be advised to address patients' cognitions about their problems during the cognition-targeted exercise training, so that patients will have positive perceptions regarding their illness and treatment outcome. The treating physical therapist will be advised to discuss the patient's perceptions about each exercise. This include discussion of the anticipated consequences of the exercises and challenging the patient's cognitions in relation to the exercises

In the first and second sessions, patients will learn about fatigue-related symptoms as well as Cognitive behavioral therapy and its effectiveness. The third and fourth sessions will be devoted on the introduction of behavioral strategies. The fifth session will introduce cognitive strategies to decrease fatigue. The last three sessions will be about how to adopt the proposed strategies consistently.

The standardized physical therapy will consist of eight half-hour individualized face to face physiotherapy sessions, over a 4-week period. this program will consist of twice-weekly supervised general aerobic, strengthening and flexibility exercise sessions .This exercise program is reflective of the general exercises typically undertaken within routine clinical practice.