Multimodal exercise training
Multimodal exercise training has been studied in 7 papers since 2017: 4 trials in people, 3 reviews; 2 in the past year. The newest paper, May 30, 2026: “Effect of a multimodal exercise training program on sleep in older adults: a randomized controlled trial”.
7 papers study it11 findingsUpdated
See all 7 papers on multimodal exercise training
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 5 independent labs in 3 countries.
“There were statistically significant improvements in six-minute walk performance (F(2158)=3.12, p=0.05, ηp2=0.04)”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 5 independent labs in 3 countries
- Funders: National MS Society and others
- Human trial4
Studies in people
4 studies gave multimodal exercise training to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
up: Increases sleep efficiencyMD = 6.6%; 95% CI: 1.8, 11.4 | Randomized trial16 weeks | 32 people70.1 ± 5.7 yearsOlder adults | Brazilian journal of physical therapy, May 30, 2026 |
down: Decreases Evaluative Frailty Index for Physical Activity-0.07 (95% CI: -0.14, -0.00) up: Improves MSQoL-54+19.26 (95% CI: 5.61, 32.91) down: Decreases Modified Fatigue Impact Scale-11.46 (95% CI: -18.34, -5.13) | Randomized trial6 weeks | 14 peopleBoth55.0 ± 7.7 yearsMidlife adults; frail multiple sclerosis patients | PloS one, Apr 15, 2026 |
| Trial16 weeks | 53 peopleolder adultsOlder adults | Research quarterly for exercise and sport, Jun 16, 2023 | |
up: Improves six-minute walk testp=0.05, ηp2=0.04 up: Improves peak power outputp<0.01, ηp2=0.10 up: Improves cognitive processing speedp=0.01, ηp2=0.05 | Randomized trial6 months | 83 peoplePatient cohorts | Contemporary clinical trials, Jul 19, 2017 |
What did studies of multimodal exercise training find?
11Studies of multimodal exercise training measured 11 outcomes, among them sleep efficiency, Physiological Profile Assessment and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale.
Sleep efficiency
upin humans1
1 study
Sleep efficiency
upin humans1
Multimodal exercise training increases sleep efficiency in humans (compared with the control group) (MD = 6.6%; 95% CI: 1.8, 11.4).
“including improved sleep efficiency (MD = 6.6%; 95% CI: 1.8, 11.4)”
Human trialcompared with the control group3x/week, with each session lasting 45 to 60 minutes16 weeks
Brazilian journal of physical therapy
Physiological Profile Assessment
no changein humans1
1 study
Physiological Profile Assessment
no changein humans1
Multimodal exercise training showed no clear effect on Physiological Profile Assessment in humans (frail multiple sclerosis patients) (-0.09 (95% CI: -1.19, 1.01)).
“and PPA -0.09 (95% CI: -1.19, 1.01).”
Human trialfrail multiple sclerosis patientsvirtual reality treadmill training + resistance training6 weeksn = 14
PloS one
Modified Fatigue Impact Scale
downin humans1
1 study
Modified Fatigue Impact Scale
downin humans1
Multimodal exercise training decreases Modified Fatigue Impact Scale in humans (frail multiple sclerosis patients) (-11.46 (95% CI: -18.34, -5.13)).
“MFIS -11.46 (95% CI: -18.34, -5.13)”
Human trialfrail multiple sclerosis patientsvirtual reality treadmill training + resistance training6 weeksn = 14
PloS one
MSQoL-54
upin humans1
1 study
MSQoL-54
upin humans1
Multimodal exercise training improves MSQoL-54 in humans (frail multiple sclerosis patients) (+19.26 (95% CI: 5.61, 32.91)).
“MSQoL-54 mental health +21.24 (95% CI: 7.32, 35.16); MSQoL-54 physical health +19.26 (95% CI: 5.61, 32.91)”
Human trialfrail multiple sclerosis patientsvirtual reality treadmill training + resistance training6 weeksn = 14
PloS one
Evaluative Frailty Index for Physical Activity
downin humans1
1 study
Evaluative Frailty Index for Physical Activity
downin humans1
Multimodal exercise training decreases Evaluative Frailty Index for Physical Activity in humans (frail multiple sclerosis patients) (-0.07 (95% CI: -0.14, -0.00)).
“Between-group differences in baseline to 6-week change were: EFIP -0.07 (95% CI: -0.14, -0.00)”
Human trialfrail multiple sclerosis patientsvirtual reality treadmill training + resistance training6 weeksn = 14
PloS one
Gait performance
no changein humans1
1 study
Gait performance
no changein humans1
Multimodal exercise training showed no clear effect on gait performance in humans.
“No relevant interactions and main effects were found for gait velocity, stride length, MTC, and their respective CoVs (Supplementary table C) as well as for cognitive performance (Supplementary table E).”
Human trial12-weekn = 29
BMC geriatrics
Postural control
upin humans1
1 study
Postural control
upin humans1
Multimodal exercise training improves postural control in humans.
“The multimodal training improved postural control”
Human trialmultimodal training16 weeksn = 53
Research quarterly for exercise and sport
Gait
no changein humans1
1 study
Gait
no changein humans1
Multimodal exercise training showed no clear effect on gait in humans.
“but not gait outcomes, for those who underwent the intervention compared with those who underwent the control condition”
Human trialcompared with stretching-and-toning control, in persons with substantial MS-related mobility disabilityprogressive aerobic, resistance, and balance exercise6 monthsn = 83
Contemporary clinical trials
Cognitive processing speed
upin humans1
1 study
Cognitive processing speed
upin humans1
Multimodal exercise training improves cognitive processing speed in humans (p=0.01, ηp2=0.05).
“Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test performance (F(2162)=4.67, p=0.01, ηp2=0.05)”
Human trialcompared with stretching-and-toning control, in persons with substantial MS-related mobility disabilityprogressive aerobic, resistance, and balance exercise6 monthsn = 83
Contemporary clinical trials
Peak power output
upin humans1
1 study
Peak power output
upin humans1
Multimodal exercise training improves peak power output in humans (p<0.01, ηp2=0.10).
“peak power output (F(2150)=8.16, p<0.01, ηp2=0.10)”
Human trialcompared with stretching-and-toning control, in persons with substantial MS-related mobility disabilityprogressive aerobic, resistance, and balance exercise6 monthsn = 83
Contemporary clinical trials
Six-minute walk test
upin humans1
1 study
Six-minute walk test
upin humans1
Multimodal exercise training improves six-minute walk test in humans (p=0.05, ηp2=0.04).
“There were statistically significant improvements in six-minute walk performance (F(2158)=3.12, p=0.05, ηp2=0.04)”
Human trialcompared with stretching-and-toning control, in persons with substantial MS-related mobility disabilityprogressive aerobic, resistance, and balance exercise6 monthsn = 83
Contemporary clinical trials