Impact of the Swank and Wahls elimination dietary interventions on fatigue and quality of life in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: The WAVES randomized parallel-arm clinical trial. Issue 3 (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wahls, Terry L; Titcomb, Tyler J; Bisht, Babita; Eyck, Patrick Ten; Rubenstein, Linda M; Carr, Lucas J; Darling, Warren G; Hoth, Karin F; Kamholz, John; Snetselaar, Linda G
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis journal, experimental, translational and clinical. Volume 7:Issue 3(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- fatigue -- quality of life -- 6-minute walk test -- low-saturated fat diet -- paleolithic diet; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; 616.834
• DOI: 10.1177/20552173211035399
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-2173

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of the modified Paleolithic elimination (Wahls) and low-saturated fat (Swank) diets in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Methods: Individuals (n = 87) with RRMS were randomized to the Swank or Wahls diets in a parallel group clinical trial consisting of four timepoints: 1) run-in, 2) baseline, 3) 12-weeks, and 4) 24-weeks. Results: 77 participants completed 12 weeks and 72 completed 24 weeks. The 12-week change from baseline in fatigue was -0.94 ± 0.18 (FSS) and -9.87 ± 1.93 (MFIS; both p < 0.0001) for Swank, and -0.71 ± 0.24 (FSS; p = 0.004) and -14.41 ± 2.22 (MFIS; p ≤ 0.0001) for Wahls. Physical MSQoL scores improved by 6.04 ± 2.18 (p = 0.006) for Swank and by 14.5 ± 2.63 (p < 0.0001) for Wahls. Mental MSQoL scores improved by 11.3 ± at 2.79 (p < 0.0001) for Wahls while the Swank did not change (3.85 ± 2.63; p = 0.14). Neither group showed significant changes in 6-minute walking distance at 12 weeks. All outcomes were maintained or further improved at 24 weeks. Conclusions: Both diets were associated with clinically meaningful within-group reductions in fatigue and improvements in QoL. Trial Registration : Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02914964