title: Benefits of an intensive task-oriented circuit training in Multiple Sclerosis patients with mild disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exercise is well tolerated and induces relevant improvements in physical and mental functioning of persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Unfortunately, due to the wide variety of symptoms and the broad range of exercise interventions, it is not possible to make unified exercise recommendation as to what type of exercise is safe and effective for persons with MS.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to test the impact of an intensive task-oriented training on motor function and quality of life in 17 MS patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) between 4 and 5.5.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients underwent a two-week intensive, task-oriented rehabilitation program. Outcome measures were: Berg Balance Scale, Gait Dynamic Index, 6 Minute Walking Test, Physiological Cost Index, Fatigue Severity Scale, 10 metres Walking Test, Timed Up and Go test, Short form 36, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All outcome measures showed a significant improvement after the treatment except for the 6 Minute Walking test and the Short form 36 that showed a trend of improvement although not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An intensive task-oriented rehabilitation protocol is effective in improving motor function and has a positive impact on quality of life in MS patients with moderate disability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neurorehabilitation, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chisari
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neurorehabilitation, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Venturi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neurorehabilitation, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertolucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neurorehabilitation, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fanciullacci
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Neurorehabilitation, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D065327:Circuit-Based Exercise / Q000379:methods*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D004856:Postural Balance; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011788:Quality of Life; D016138:Walking
keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; energy expenditure; quality of life; task-oriented rehabilitation