title: Evaluation of a home-based physiotherapy programme for those with moderate to severe multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of an eight-week home-based physiotherapy programme in reducing physical impairment, disability and psychological distress for people with moderate to severe multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pilot randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community; subjects' homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty people moderately to severely affected by MS (Extended Disability Status Score, EDSS, 6.5-8) were randomized to an intervention or control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention group received twice weekly, home-based physiotherapy for eight weeks and the control group received usual care.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following outcome measures were recorded at baseline, post-intervention (Week 8) and at follow-up (Week 16). Primary outcome measure; Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS29) and secondary outcome measures assessed physical impairment, MS symptoms, quality of life, mood, and disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the Group * Time interaction failed to reach statistical significance with MSIS29 (p = 0.925), MS - related symptom checklist (MS-RS) (p = 0.627) and for lower limb strength, right knee extension (p = 0.375) and right knee flexion (p = 0.794), there is more evidence of altered levels in the treatment group than in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A minimum of 58 subjects per group are required to achieve a power of 80% at the 5% level of significance based on the MSIS29. A larger scale study is required.
authors.affiliation: MS Service, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, School of Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Irvine, UK. linda.miller2@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mattison
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McFadyen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method