Eficácia do treino em tapete rolante com suspensão do peso corporal na marcha em doentes com esclerose múltipla

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In multiple sclerosis (MS) walking is frequently impaired and the number of patients needing help for walking may reach 50%, fifteen years after the start of the disease. Treadmill training (TT), body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) included, has been incorporated with positive results in rehabilitation programmers for MS patients. It seems to be an intervention dependent on activity with potential to reduce gait impairment. OBJECTIVE: To find if BWSTT is more effective than TT for functional gait improvement in MS patients. METHODS: Randomized, controlled, prospective study, with crossover design, compares BWSTT and TT intervention in a sample in 12 MS patients with EDSS 4.0 to 6.0, who received 3 weekly training sessions, over 3 weeks in each phase, in two intervention phases. Measurement outcome tools were: 6MWT, T25FW, TUG, MFIS and EQ-5D. RESULTS: Velocity parameters measured by 25FWT showed significant improvement (p=0,02) in BWSTT; mobility (TUG) significant improvement (p=0,04) in BWSTT; fatigue perception (MFIS) significant improvement in total (p=0,04) and physical dimension scores (p=0,04) with BWSTT. Improvement in distance covered in 6MWT, but with no statistically significant differences. Impact on quality of life (EQ-5D): no conclusive results. CONCLUSIONS: We found some support for the hypothesis that BWSTT has better results when compared with TT to improve gait in MS patients with EDSS 4.0 to 6.0. BWSTT seems to allow gains faster in the recovery potential of patients. Its clinical use is beneficial and it should be better characterized before clinical application. More research on BWSTT is recommended.

Date of Award	Feb 2012
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Paulo Fontoura (Supervisor)