Neurorehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: foundations, facts and fiction.
OBJECTIVE
This review of recent work in the area of neurorehabilitation of multiple sclerosis patients surveys progress and underscores the need for further work to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.


RESULTS
Several recent review documents have summarized the current position regarding neurorehabilitation and symptomatic management in multiple sclerosis. They have highlighted the paucity of evidence underpinning current practice, thereby identifying the need for more scientifically sound studies in both neurorehabilitation and symptomatic treatment. However, as will be apparent from this review, there has been a welcome increase in studies evaluating both aspects of neurorehabilitation and specific areas such as the role of cannabinoids in spasticity and pain and new treatments for cognitive impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, there is an encouraging trend both in questioning our current practice and in designing more scientifically sound trials incorporating new and more appropriate outcome measures. There is, however, much more to be done before we are in a position to provide the expert, comprehensive, joined-up, care that is required to meet the complex, ever-changing needs of patients with multiple sclerosis.
Thompson
Alan J
AJ
Institute of Neurology, University College London and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospital, London, UK. a.thompson@ion.ucl.ac.uk
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index