Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 16, 2025
Adapted Resistance Training Improves Strength in Eight Weeks in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: January 29, 2016
Personalised inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation elicits clinically relevant improvements in physical function
Lars G Hvid, Tobias Gaemelke, Ulrik Dalgas
1Exercise Biology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
Purpose:
Evidence of the effects of inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR) on physical function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is limited, particularly whether clinically relevant improvements can be achieved. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the effects of personalised inpatient MDR on the physical function of MS patients.
Methods:
Embedded in the Danish MS Hospitals Rehabilitation Study, a pragmatic study was performed in MS patients undergoing four weeks of inpatient MDR specifically targeting physical function. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (n = 142), at discharge (n = 137) and at six months follow-up (n = 126) using the six-minute walk test (6MWT), six-spot step test (SSST), five times sit to stand test (5STS), nine-hole peg test (NHPT), dynamic gait index (DGI) and 12-item MS walking scale (MSWS).
Results:
From Baseline-to-Discharge, significant and clinically relevant improvements were found in all measures of walking capacity (6MWT, SSST, 5STS, DGI and MSWS; p < 0.05) along with significant (but not clinically relevant) improvements in upper extremity function (NHPT; p < 0.05). Whilst comparable improvements were observed within subgroups of MS phenotype (relapsing-remitting [RR] vs. secondary + primary progressive [SP + PP]), disease severity (moderate [EDSS2.5-5.5] vs. severe [EDSS6.0-7.5]) and age (young/middle-aged [Age24-59] vs. old [Age60-65]), an attenuated adaptation was nevertheless observed for 6MWT in the most affected and vulnerable subgroups (i.e. SP + PP, EDSS6.0-7.5 and Age60-65). The significant improvements in walking capacity and upper extremity function persisted at six months follow-up but did not exceed anymore the thresholds regarded as clinically relevant.
Conclusion:
The results provide novel evidence that personalised inpatient MDR targeting physical function in MS patients elicits significant and clinically relevant improvements in physical function.
More Related Videos
05:28Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024
06:58A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
Published on: November 6, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:19Restorative Care