I recently reviewed the evidence base for rehabilitation in MS as the
assignment for a Masters module. In a nutshell, there is not a huge amount
of literature and it is difficult to compare as people at different stages
of MS have been offered different types of rehab input and different outcome
measures have been used at different times. However, a common theme is that
Physiotherapy is beneficial to peoples' quality of life and functional
activities, but does not have an impact on their overall level of disability
ie we can't stop the overall deterioration but we can be effective in
helping people to make the most of what they've got.
On a personal experience basis, I have now been working as part of a
Multidisciplinary Community Physical Disability Team for the last 6 years
and the largest diagnostic group of our clients have MS. The clients that
seem to respond better to Physiotherapy advice are the ones who have no or
minimal cognitive impairment and are interested in problem-solving
themselves into a sensible and supportive job and/or home environment. The
ones that do less well seem to be the ones that feel safer denying the whole
thing - planning ahead becomes impossible and they seem to lurch from one
crisis to the next. I am a huge advocate of Physiotherapy in people's homes
partly because the effort of the journey to outpatient facilities exhausts
most MS clients before they've even seen the Therapist, and partly because
it is so much easier to identify relevant functional goals at home when you
can be there yourself, amongst their family.
I am fortunate enough to work with the Occupational Therapy, Speech &
Language Therapy ,Social Work & Clinical Psychology professionals in the
Team and the diversity and complexity of symptoms in MS certainly demand a
multi-pronged approach.
Nikki Adams [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jo Semlyen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 8:13 AM
Subject: Physiotherapy and Multiple Sclerosis
>
> May I open a debate and invite interest, knowledge and opinion on the
> question of the benefit of Physiotherapy in Multiple Sclerosis.
> I would like to invite interested, opinionated and knowledgable people to
> come forward to me at the MS Society as we strive to unravel and
understand
> and subsequently contribute to the evidence base surrounding this area.
> Please email me directly. I would like to invite sources of evidence,
> current opinion, clinical experience and research activity.
> Many thanks.
>
> Jo Semlyen
> Applied Research Liaison Officer
> Multiple Sclerosis Society
> MS National Centre, 372 Edgware Road,
> London, NW2 6ND
> Tel 020 8438 0700
> Fax 020 8438 0701
> email [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> **********************************************************************
> This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
> intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
> are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
> the system manager.
>
> This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
> MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
>
> www.mimesweeper.com
> **********************************************************************
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|