Rehabilitation of patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Rehabilitation has an important place in the treatment and management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Currently, active research is being carried out in the field of telerehabilitation, extended rehabilitation and staged rehabilitation.Objective: to study the results of staged motor rehabilitation, which is a combination of methods of inpatient rehabilitation, telerehabilitation and home rehabilitation, as links in a chain to maintain rehabilitation potential for a longer period and, if possible, maintain the level of physical activity and quality of life of patients.Patients and methods. The study included 53 patients with progressive forms of MS, who were divided into the main (n=28) and control (n=25) groups. Intensive rehabilitation was carried out, supplemented by telerehabilitation and home rehabilitation. The condition of all patients was assessed using validated scales: the Beck questionnaire, the suicide scale, the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Questionnaire (MsQol-54), the Rankin scale, the Rivermead mobility index, the Barthel index. Physical activity tests were performed – Berg's balance test, 25-foot and 6-minute walk test, five squats, nine-hole peg tests. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA test), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).Results and discussion. Statistically significant improvement 12 weeks after the end of intensive rehabilitation was noted in the nine-hole peg test, the five squats test, the Berg balance test, the Rivermead mobility index, and the pain level on the visual analog scale. Conclusion. The obtained results suggest that the staged rehabilitation of patients with progressive forms of MS helps to maintain the rehabilitation potential for a long time.