Single treatment with inflatable pressure splint improves short distance gait velocity in patients wth multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis 2008-09, Vol.14, p.S147-S147
• Main Authors: Nitzani, D, Tzemah, R, Zaltsman, S L, Kalron, A, Achiron, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1352-4585

Background: Gait impairment is a highly prevalent symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) and is associated with considerable disability related to motor weakness, increased muscle tone, sensory impairment and imbalance. The inflatable pressure splint (IPS), an air-tight double-sleeved plastic envelope that when fully inflated causes pressure around the limb, has been reported to reduce spasticity and improve gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy, and was also used for rehabilitation of knee flexion contractures in patients with MS. Objective: To assess the effects of short-term use of IPS on gait velocity and balance in patients with MS. Methods: MS patients with lower limb spasticity that interfered with their ambulation skills were randomly assigned into the IPS treatment group (long leg IPS applied uni- or bilaterally for 20 minutes during rest), or to the rest group (lying supine for 20 minutes). In both groups gait was assessed by measurement of 10 and 20 meters walking time (TW10, TW20) and by the timed up and go test (TUG) before and immediately after the procedure. Results: Patients in the IPS treatment group (N=30, 21 females, mean age 48.2 plus or minus 10.1 years, disease duration 12.6 plus or minus 5.6 years, mean EDSS 5.4 plus or minus 1.2) significantly improved their gait and balance performance after treatment. TW10, TW20 and TUG decreased by 3.80 (p=0.0132), 9.65 (p=0.0138) and 3.16 (p=0.0016) seconds, respectively. In the rest group (N=30 patients, 22 females, mean age 47.1 plus or minus 12.3 years, disease duration 11.9 plus or minus 10.9 years, EDSS 4.6 plus or minus 1.6) no changes were recorded in gait performance. Conclusions: Single session of IPS treatment significantly improved short-distance gait velocity and stability. Both MS patients and their caring physiotherapists can benefit by the application of the IPS procedure that is inexpensive, easy to use and enables better performance of exercises.