Effect of a comprehensive physiotherapeutic programme (incl. and aerobic load) on physical fitness, fatigue and neurological deficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis - pilot study
Abstract
Rehabilitation of subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) was focused in the past only on specific motor deficiencies and the patient's fatigue was considered the limiting factor. The patients were advised to restrict physical activity.
Recently evidence is cumulating that this procedure was incorrect and conversely that the physical fitness of the patients can be improved and pharmacologically resistant fatigue influenced by correctly conducted physiotherapeutic methods in adequate amounts. The objective of the present investigation was to influence by a comprehensive physiotherapeutic programme (incl. aerobic training) the physical fitness, fatigue and neurological deficiency of patients with MS.
In the investigation participated eighteen patients suffering from MS. The experimental group was subjected for six weeks for 5 hours per week to a physiotherapeutic programme incl. individual therapy (aerobic training, eclectic physiotherapeutic approach), group therapy (respiratory training, relaxation training) and counselling services.
The limit of the load throughout the programme (within the framework of treatment as well as common everyday activities) was not the hitherto used subjective symptom of fatigue but the objective value of 60% VO2 max (the maximum oxygen consumption). The control group was not subjected to any therapeutic procedure and promised that they will not alter their usual habits.
The probands of the experimental and control group were examined by a neurologist, physiotherapist, on a posturograph and ergometer. In the experimental group after six weeks treatment improvement of all investigated parameters was recorded.
The comprehensive physiotherapeutic programme which included aerobic training had a positive effect on the probands.