Locomotor training using body weight support on a treadmill improves mobility in persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this protocol was to investigate the potential benefits and tolerability of locomotor training using body weight support on a treadmill (LTBWST) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Four persons with primarily spinal cord MS and severely impaired ambulation (Expanded Disability Status Scale score 7.0-7.5) were enrolled in LTBWST. Subjects completed an average of 40 training sessions over several months.


RESULTS
Subjects showed improvement in muscle strength, spasticity, endurance, balance, walking speed, and quality of life at the end of the training sessions, and could tolerate training without fatigue or other adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
LTBWST is well tolerated by persons with MS and may produce improvements in parameters related to functional mobility.
Giesser
Barbara
B
Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. bgiesser@mednet.ucla.edu
Beres-Jones
Janell
J
Budovitch
Amy
A
Herlihy
Elise
E
Harkema
Susan
S
D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D011788:Quality of Life; D016138:Walking