Table 3.

Studies identified on intermittent fasting (IF) and effects on multiple sclerosis (MS).

Authors, Year and Country	Study Duration	Sample Size	Type of Study	Exhibition Time	The Purpose of the Study	Main Effects Observed	LE	GR
Cignarella et al., 2018 [9] Washington, USA	2014–2016	Animal study: 10 mice. Study with patients: 17 subjects, and 1 did not complete it	Randomized clinical trial	In mice (4 weeks) In patients (2 weeks)	To assess the safety, feasibility, and compliance of IF in patients with MS.	Altered blood adipokines and the gut flora resembling protective changes observed in mice.	1++	A
Fitzgerald et al., 2018 [25] Baltimore, USA	2015–2016	n = 36 31 patients finished the trial	Randomized clinical trial	8 weeks	To assess the safety and feasibility of different types of diets related to IF in patients with MS.	Weight loss and significant improvements in emotional well-being/depression scores relative to control.	1++	A

Articles were classified using the scale proposed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. LE: Level of evidence, GR: Grade of recommendations.