USE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY TO IMPROVE FATIQUE IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious disease of the brain and the spinal cord whose results in almost all patients is fatigue. In MS, fatigue is a frequent disorder which can affect the quality of life and increase disability. Objectives: To investigate if individually tailored physiotherapy and exercise alleviates the condition of fatigue in MS patients. Methodology: 28 subjects' whit secondary progressive MS with stabilized condition received individual physiotherapy. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were registered at baseline and immediately after treatment. Patients are given a specific therapeutic program: one hour a day, three times a week. Results: Mean FSS at baseline was 4.77 (+/- SD1.45) and improved during treatment to 4.43 (+/- SD1.24) (p<0.001). Mean EDSS at baseline was 5.16 (+/- SD0.74) and improving treatment to 4.90 (+/- SD0.86) (p<0.001) in the sixth week. Although the tendency to worsen fatigue was great, an improvement in the condition was observed. EDSS was significantly reduced compared to baseline 4.82 (+/- SD0.93) (p<0.001). Discussion and conclusions: Fatigue and neurological deficit improved as a result of individually tailored physiotherapy in MS. The conducted study and the results indicate that goal-oriented physiotherapy, positively influences fatigue patients with multiple sclerosis.