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.
Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; energy expenditure; quality of life; task-oriented rehabilitation.