The Effects of Haptic Input on Walking Balance in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis and Controls

There is little literature examining the use of maximal strength training (MST) in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). This pretest-posttest study examined the effects of a MST program on strength, walking, balance, and fatigue in a sample of pwMS. Seven pwMS (median EDSS 3.0, IQR 1.5) participated in a MST program twice weekly for eight weeks. Strength was assessed with 1-repetition maximum (1RM) on each leg. Walking and balance were measured with the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), respectively. Fatigue was measured during each week of the program with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The program was well tolerated, with an attendance rate of 96.4%. Participants had significant improvements in right leg 1RM (t6=-6.032, P=0.001), left leg 1RM (t(6)=-5.388, P=0.002), 6MWT distance (t(6)=-2.572,P=0.042), and BBS score (Z=-2.371, P=0.018) after the MST intervention. There was no significant change in FSS scores (F(1,3.312)=2.411, P=0.092). Participants in the MST program experienced improved balance and walking without an increase in fatigue. This MST program may be utilized by rehabilitation clinicians to improve lower extremity strength, balance, and mobility in pwMS.

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939Longitudinal trends of work productivity in a representative sample of Australians living with multiple sclerosis

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyab168.074 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Barnabas Bessing ◽

Leigh Blizzard ◽

Mohammad A. Hussain ◽

Suzi B. Claflin ◽

Bruce V. Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Productivity Loss ◽

Work Productivity ◽

Longitudinal Change ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Cognitive Symptoms ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Longitudinal Patterns ◽

Annual Changes ◽

Walking Balance

Abstract Background studies have documented increased employment rates and MS-related work productivity loss in people living with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Little is known about the longitudinal trends of work productivity of PwMS. Objectives To describe the longitudinal patterns of work productivity of PwMS, and examine the factors associated with longitudinal change of work productivity of PwMS. Methods Study participants were from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS) followed from 2015 to 2018 (n = 2724) who were employed. We described the longitudinal patterns of work productivity and determined the correlates of the changes in work productivity of PwMS. We used linear mixed effect modelling to analyse the data. Results From our mixed effect model analysis, feelings of depression, walking difficulties, and spasticity problems were independently associated with -1.45 (-1.95 to -0.95), -1.35 (-1.98 to -0.72) and -1.04 (-1.63 to -0.45) per annum change in work productivity respectively. Annual changes in MS symptom clusters: difficulties with walking, balance and spasticity; anxiety and depression; and fatigue and cognitive symptoms were independently associated with -2.53 (-3.53 to -1.52), -1.51 (-2.27 to -0.74), -0.86 (-1.67 to -0.06) percent annual change in work productivity of PwMS respectively. Conclusion Symptoms cluster like ‘difficulties with walking, balance and spasticity’, ‘feelings of anxiety and depression’, and ‘fatigue and cognitive symptoms’ impact significantly on work productivity. Key messages MS related annual work productivity loss is marginal but is strongly driven by annual changes in walking difficulties, feelings of depression and spasticity problems

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