Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Intervention
in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: A randomized controlled
trial
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Medical Update Memo
July 7, 2008
Summary
Researchers from the Department of Rehabilitation
Medicine, University of Melbourne, Australia
have shown that an individualized rehabilitation
program reduces disability in persons with
MS compared to no intervention. This work by
Khan F, Pallant JF, Brand C, and Kilpatrick
TJ has been published in J Neurol Neurosurg
Psychiatry. 2008 Jun 5. [Epub ahead of print]
Details
A randomized, controlled study carried out
over 12 months assessed the effectiveness
of rehabilitation in persons with Multiple
Sclerosis (MS) in an Australian community
cohort. 101 patients with definite MS were
recruited. The group was randomized to either
a treatment group (n=49) for individualized
rehabilitation program, or to a control waitlist
group (n=52). A variety of outcome measurements
were used to assess progress. Assessments
were done at study entry and at 12 months.
Analysis of data from 98 patients (treatment n=48, control n=50) showed reduced
disability in the treatment group, with statistically significant differences
in some of the post-treatment scores for the two groups ( p<.001). In the
treated group 70.8% improved, compared with 13% of the controls. Significantly
more patients in the control group deteriorated over the study period (58.7%
versus 16.7%: p<.001).
Conclusion: An individualized rehabilitation program reduces disability in
persons with MS compared to no intervention. The impact of rehabilitation on
Quality of Life needs further evaluation. More information on effectiveness
of the various components of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs
is now needed.
With information from the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation
ASK MS Information System Code: 1.6.a
National Client Services
Medical Information and Education
Offert en
français.
Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health
agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy,
but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
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