Emerging evidence-based physical rehabilitation for Multiple Sclerosis - Towards an inventory of current content across Europe

Abstract

In Europe, theoretical approaches to physical therapy and rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis often appear significantly different. While there is general agreement that rehabilitation plays an important role in maintaining and improving function in persons with multiple sclerosis, no consensus exists on what may be the most effective approach to achieve the best possible functionality within an individual's limitations.The objective of this paper is to initiate an analysis of currently applied physical interventions for people with multiple sclerosis throughout Europe during inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. A study of the content of rehabilitation may show presently performed treatment methods revealing the basic considerations that nowadays guide clinicians implicitly or explicitly in the treatment of persons with multiple sclerosis. Following this first step, comparative studies can be set up.

Symptomatic therapy in multiple sclerosis: a review for a multimodal approach in clinical practice

“…Physical activity has been associated with a small improvement in QoL in MS patients [Motl and Gosney, 2008], although this may be an indirect relationship [Motl et al 2009]. Rehabilitative strategies have also been linked with improved and maintained functioning in patients with MS [Rasova et al 2010], and should be encouraged.…”

Strong evidence exists that multidisciplinary rehabilitation and fatigue management courses improve function and participation in people with multiple sclerosis

“…Intensity and duration of therapy is receiving growing attention in neurological literature with emerging evidence to support neuroplasticity (Rasova et al ., ). In this paper, short‐term programmes with higher intensity of therapy were associated with improved functioning, whereas long‐term programmes, with lower intensity of therapy, showed evidence towards longer gains in quality of life.…”

Physical Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis: General Principles and High-Tech Approaches

“…При этом необходимо обеспечение интенсификации процесса обучения путем многократного повторения [49,50]. Теоретические осно-вы различных моделей частично пересекаются и не могут быть отделены друг от друга.…”

“…• дальнейшее изучение нейропсихологических факто-ров, таких как системы памяти, внимания (учитывая частые нарушения когнитивных функций при РС), а также возрастающий объем знаний о моторном кон-троле и двигательном обучении [50][51][52]. Наконец, одним из актуальнейших вопросов при РС является возможность прогнозирования течения болезни и выделение предикторов нарастания неврологического дефицита.…”