title: Effect of acute unloaded leg cycling on spasticity in individuals with multiple sclerosis using anti-spastic medications.
abstract: This article examines the effect of a bout of unloaded leg cycling on the soleus H-reflex and modified Ashworth scale (MAS) in 6 individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) who had spasticity of the leg muscles and were currently taking anti-spastic medications. H-reflex and MAS data were collected before and 10, 30, and 60 min after 20 min of unloaded leg cycling and a control condition. The unloaded leg cycling resulted in concomitant reductions in soleus H-reflex and MAS scores compared with the control condition. This provides a basis for incorporating exercise along with anti-spastic medications into a multifaceted plan for spasticity management in individuals with MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA. robmotl@uiuc.edu
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Motl
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Snook
authors.forename: Marcus L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hinkle
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D010276:Parasympatholytics