title: Combined training improves walking mobility in persons with significant disability from multiple sclerosis:  a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The disabling consequences of multiple sclerosis (MS) emphasize the significance of developing physiologically relevant strategies for rehabilitation of function. This pilot study examined changes in walking function associated with combined exercise training consisting of aerobic, resistance, and balance activities in persons with MS who had recent onset of gait impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen participants with significant disability due to MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale range = 4.0-6.0) completed the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12, 2 trials of the Timed 25-Foot Walk, the Timed Up & Go, and functional ambulation profile score derived from 4 walking trials on an instrumented walkway (GaitRite) before and after an 8-week training period. The training program was designed by a physical therapist and was performed 3 days per week under the supervision of an exercise specialist. In week 1, the session was 15 minutes in duration (ie, 5 minutes of each mode of exercise), session durations were increased by approximately 5 minutes per week up to a maximum of 60 minutes in week 8 (ie, 20 minutes of each mode of exercise).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant improvements in Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 scores (Mpre = 56.0, Mpost = 46.7, P = 0.03, d = 0.56), Timed 25-Foot Walk (Mpre = 11.7, Mpost = 9.8, P = 0.004, d = 0.90) and Timed Up & Go (Mpre = 16.0, Mpost = 13.0, P = 0.01, d = 0.72) performance, and functional ambulation profile score (Mpre = 72.8, Mpost = 77.6, P = 0.02, d = 0.65).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that a moderately intense, comprehensive, combined exercise training program represents a rehabilitation strategy that is associated with improved walking mobility in a small sample of persons with MS who have recent onset of gait impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. robmotl@illinois.edu
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Motl
authors.forename: Douglas C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jeannette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Madeline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weikert
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dlugonski
authors.forename: Jacob J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sosnoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult