Neurorehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis—A Review of Present Approaches and Future Considerations

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is an increasingly prevalent disease, representing the leading cause of non-traumatic neurological disease in Europe and North America. The most common symptoms include gait deficits, balance and coordination impairments, fatigue, spasticity, dysphagia and an overactive bladder. Neurorehabilitation therapeutic approaches aim to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life through promoting positive immunological transformations and neuroplasticity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current treatments for the most debilitating symptoms in multiple sclerosis, identify areas for future improvement, and provide a reference guide for practitioners in the field. It analyzes the most cited procedures currently in use for the management of a number of symptoms affecting the majority of patients with multiple sclerosis, from different training routines to cognitive rehabilitation and therapies using physical agents, such as electrostimulation, hydrotherapy, cryotherapy and electromagnetic fields. Furthermore, it investigates the quality of evidence for the aforementioned therapies and the different tests applied in practice to assess their utility. Lastly, the study looks at potential future candidates for the treatment and evaluation of patients with multiple sclerosis and the supposed benefits they could bring in clinical settings.

Implementation of Remote Activity Sensing to Support a Rehabilitation Aftercare Program: Observational Mixed Methods Study With Patients and Health Care Professionals

“…Patients attending inpatient neurorehabilitation often face complex chronic health conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, or cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke [1,2]. These chronic health conditions are typically linked to increasing physical impairments, which negatively impact individuals' quality of life [3,4].…”

Can Robotic Gait Training with End Effectors Improve Lower-Limb Functions in Patients Affected by Multiple Sclerosis? Results from a Retrospective Case–Control Study

“…Typically, scores up to 3.5 indicate mild-to-moderate impairment of functional autonomy, whereas scores surpassing 7.5 indicate severe disability, often resulting in wheelchair dependency or bed confinement [ 13 ]. In this context, neurorehabilitation plays a crucial role in every phase of the disease, aiming to restore and preserve motor functions in MS patients [ 14 ]. Conventional rehabilitation training includes physical exercise, which is a well-known approach to improving cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, and balance [ 15 ].…”