Disability and Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: Can Rehabilitation Improve Them through a Structured Retraining...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Functional rehabilitation programs are recognized for improving fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Assessing functional impairment in MS patients presents challenges.
• Specific exercise interventions require evaluation for their impact on fatigue and disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess fatigue and disability in MS patients before and after a functional rehabilitation program.
• To verify the short- and medium-term improvements in fatigue and functional outcomes.
• To compare the effectiveness of the program based on disease course (recurrent vs. progressive).

Main Methods:

• An analytical, longitudinal, prospective, and experimental study involving 51 MS patients (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] 2-6.5).
• Patients underwent a structured exercise training program, serving as their own controls.
• Outcomes were measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Barthel Index (BI), and Functional Independence Scale (FIM).

Main Results:

• Significant improvement was observed in the Functional Independence Scale (FIM) post-program (p=0.016) and maintained long-term (p=0.042).
• A statistically significant improvement in the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) was noted post-program (p<0.001) and at 4-6 months follow-up.
• No significant differences in improvement were found between patients with recurrent or progressive MS courses.

Conclusions:

• Structured exercise training programs are effective in improving fatigue and functional status in multiple sclerosis patients.
• The benefits of these programs are evident in both the short and medium term.
• The positive effects of the intervention are consistent across different disease courses.