title: Effects of 12 weeks of supported treadmill training on functional ability and quality of life in progressive multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on functional ability and quality of life in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) of high disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before-after trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exercise rehabilitation research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with progressive MS (N=6; 5 primary progressive, 1 secondary progressive) with high disability (mean±SD expanded disability status scale, [EDSS]=6.9±1.07). All participants completed the trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects completed 36 sessions of BWSTT (30-min sessions, 3×wk) over 12 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome measures included functional ability assessed by EDSS and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC). Quality of life and fatigue were assessed by the MS Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), respectively. All tests were administered at baseline and after 12 weeks of training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants progressively improved training intensity; treadmill walking speed increased (34%; P<.001), and percent body weight support was reduced (42%; P<.001). A significant improvement in both physical (P=.02) and mental (P=.01) subscales of the MSQoL-54 was found. Fatigue was nonsignificantly reduced by 31% (P=.22); however, a large effect size (ES) was noted (ES=-.93). Functional ability remained stable with nonsignificant improvements in MSFC (P=.35; ES=.23) and EDSS (P=.36; ES=-.08) scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twelve weeks of BWSTT produces beneficial effects on quality of life and potentially reduces fatigue in patients with primary progressive MS of high disability level. Larger trials will be required to confirm these findings and to evaluate further the effects of BWSTT in progressive MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Lara A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pilutti
authors.forename: Danny A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lelli
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Paulseth
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crome
authors.forename: Shucui
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Michel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Rathbone
authors.forename: Audrey L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hicks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking