Effect of symptomatic therapy on motor difficulties in quantitative measurements of voluntary power

Thirty-one multiple sclerosis patients in a stable phase were given intensive symptomatic therapy. Isometric and isokinetic measurements of voluntary power were used to assess the effect of the treatment. Twenty-one of the patients were improved, six unchanged and four aggravated. The relative improvement was on the average 35%, best in the weakest patients. Isokinetic measurements revealed a particularly good progress for the fastest movements, probably reflecting reduction of spasticity. The optimum effect of treatment was found on an average after three weeks. Such tests seem to be useful in following and analysing the training and possibly in establishing treatment models.