Intensive multifactorial rehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis

Studies have been published recommending rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (EM), but in practice this is often not indicated. We made a retrospective analysis of 41 patients diagnosed as definitely having EM (clinical form of relapse remission, in phase of remission) according to the criteria of Poser et al. These patients carried out a programme of intensive multifactorial rehabilitation of 41 hours per week with a minimum duration of 10 days and a maximum of 178 days. There were classified on the EDSS scale of Kurztke and Hanser s ambulatory index on admission and when their treatment had finished. These results were compared using the Wilcoxon test for paired series and we analysed the relation between the time of treatment and final score on the scales applying the Spearman s multiple range correlation test. The differences were statistically significant between the scores for initial and final evaluations of the Kurztke and Hauser scales (Z: 3.17, p: 0.001475 and Z: 3.29, p: 0.000983 respectively). No correlation was shown between total duration of treatment or total duration of the disorder and the final score on the scale (p > 0.05). Intensive multifactorial rehabilitation treatment may have a positive effect in patients with Em with the clinical form of relapse remission, according to the scales applied. We therefore recommend their indication in patients during the remission phase.