title: Locomotor training using body weight support on a treadmill improves mobility in persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. bgiesser@mednet.ucla.edu
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Giesser
authors: Janell
authors: J
authors: Beres-Jones
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Budovitch
authors: Elise
authors: E
authors: Herlihy
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Harkema
mesh_terms: 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