Evaluation of the effects of reflexology on quality of life and symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis patients with moderate to severe disability; a pilot study

Objective:

To examine the feasibility of delivering reflexology to people moderately to severely affected by multiple sclerosis and to investigate the effect on a range of symptoms.

Methods:

A pilot single-blind randomized placebo controlled trial.

Setting:

An outpatient multiple sclerosis rehabilitation centre.

Subjects:

Twenty people moderately to severely affected by multiple sclerosis were randomized into one of two groups receiving either reflexology or sham reflexology.

Intervention:

Each participant received 8 weeks, 1 hour per week of either reflexology or sham reflexology.

Main measures:

Primary outcome measure was the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS29). Secondary measures assessed a range of symptoms at baseline, 8 weeks and 16 weeks.

Results:

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups at either 8 ( P = 0.538) or 16 ( P = 0.112) weeks for the primary outcome measure; however, both groups demonstrated small improvements from 92.3 (SD 20.9) to 75.6 (SD 3.3) with reflexology, and 91.3 (SD 29.9) to 81.5 (±18.5) with sham reflexology group after 8 weeks of treatment. Small improvements were noted in most of the secondary outcome measures at 8 weeks. There was no difference between the groups at 8 weeks except for bladder function ( P = 0.003) and most scores returned to baseline at follow-up.

Conclusions:

The results do not support the use of reflexology for symptom relief in a more disabled multiple sclerosis population and are strongly suggestive of a placebo response. This study demonstrates, however, that reflexology can be delivered and is well tolerated by people who are moderately to severely affected by multiple sclerosis.

A qualitative exploration of the impact of a 12-week group exercise class for those moderately affected with multiple sclerosis

PURPOSE

The evidence base to support therapeutic exercise for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is improving; however few studies have considered the patients' perspective. This study aimed to explore the experiences and views of people moderately affected with MS following participation in a 12-week exercise programme.

METHOD

Twenty people with MS participated in a group exercise class. Subsequently, four men and ten women took part in one of two focus groups. Semi-structured questions were used to elicit participants' views on the exercise class, outcomes from exercise and the exercise class and any perceived facilitators or barriers to exercise. Data were analysed using a general inductive method.

RESULTS

Benefits to participating in exercise for those with MS included social support and symptom improvement. Psychosocial factors, symptoms and lack of service emerged as exercise barriers. Three inter-related themes emerged; (1) The exercise class developed as a bridge to allow participants to realise, (2) the benefits of the class, helping them to overcome and (3) barriers to exercise.

CONCLUSION

Taking part in an exercise class was a positive experience for people with MS. Healthcare professionals should work with exercise professionals to provide feasible exercise opportunities to help those with MS benefit from therapeutic exercise.

Diagnostic accuracy of rapid phIGFBP-I assay for predicting preterm labor in symptomatic patients

OBJECTIVE

To estimate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (phIGFBP-1) test in predicting preterm delivery in women with symptoms of preterm labor. Secondary objectives were to compare test characteristics of the phIGFBP-1 and fetal fibronectin (fFN) tests.

STUDY DESIGN

Labor and delivery units in two Calgary hospitals. Subjects were 349 women with suspected labor between 24 and 35 weeks gestational age (GA). Women had cervical phIGFBP-1 test +/- and fFN testing. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were estimated. Primary outcome was birth <37 weeks GA.

RESULT

Sensitivity of phIGFBP-1 test for delivery <37 weeks was 0.39; specificity, 0.76; PPV, 0.24; NPV, 0.86. NPV of phIGFBP-1 did not differ greatly from that of fFN testing (0.88).

CONCLUSION

NPV did not differ between phIGFBP-1 and fFN for delivery <37 weeks. Neither test improves on pretest probability of delivery <37 weeks, so clinicians must decide whether the use of either test is justified.

Strategies to defeat ketamine-induced neonatal brain injury

Studies using animal models have shown that general anesthetics such as ketamine trigger widespread and robust apoptosis in the infant rodent brain. Recent clinical evidence suggests that the use of general anesthetics on young children (at ages equivalent to those used in rodent studies) can promote learning deficits as they mature. Thus, there is a growing need to develop strategies to prevent this injury. In this study, we describe a number of independent approaches to address therapeutic intervention. Postnatal day 7 (P7) rats were injected with vehicle (sterile PBS) or the NMDAR antagonist ketamine (20 mg/kg). After 8 h, we prepared brains for immunohistochemical detection of the pro-apoptotic enzyme activated caspase-3 (AC3). Focusing on the somatosensory cortex, AC3-positive cells were then counted in a non-biased stereological manner. We found AC3 levels were markedly increased in ketamine-treated animals. In one study, microarray analysis of the somatosensory cortex from ketamine-treated P7 pups revealed that expression of activity dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) was enhanced. Thus, we injected P7 animals with the ADNP peptide fragment NAPVSIPQ (NAP) 15 min before ketamine administration and found we could dose-dependently reverse the injury. In separate studies, pretreatment of P6 animals with 20 mg/kg vitamin D(3) or a nontoxic dose of ketamine (5 mg/kg) also prevented ketamine-induced apoptosis at P7. In contrast, pretreatment of P7 animals with aspirin (30 mg/kg) 15 min before ketamine administration actually increased AC3 counts in some regions. These data show that a number of unique approaches can be taken to address anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity in the infant brain, thus providing MDs with a variety of alternative strategies that enhance therapeutic flexibility.

The effects of a 12-week leisure centre-based, group exercise intervention for people moderately affected with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To establish the effects of a 12-week, community-based group exercise intervention for people moderately affected with multiple sclerosis.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled pilot trial.

SETTING

Two community leisure centres.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-two participants with multiple sclerosis randomized into intervention or control groups.

INTERVENTION

The intervention group received 12 weeks of twice weekly, 60-minute group exercise sessions, including mobility, balance and resistance exercises. The control group received usual care.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

An assessor blinded to group allocation assessed participants at baseline, after eight weeks and after 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was 25-foot (7.6 m) walk time, secondary outcomes assessed walking endurance, balance, physical function, leg strength, body mass index, activity levels, fatigue, anxiety and depression, quality of life and goal attainment.

RESULTS

The intervention made no statistically significant difference to the results of participants' 25-foot walk time. However the intervention led to many improvements. In the intervention group levels of physical activity improved statistically between baseline and week 8 (P < 0.001) and baseline and week 12 (P = 0.005). Balance confidence results showed a significant difference between baseline and week 12 (P = 0.013). Good effect sizes were found for dynamic balance (d = 0.80), leg strength (d = 1.33), activity levels (d = 1.05) and perceived balance (d = 0.94).

CONCLUSION

The results of the study suggest that community-based group exercise classes are a feasible option for people moderately affected with multiple sclerosis, and offer benefits such as improved physical activity levels, balance and leg strength.

Evaluation of a home-based physiotherapy programme for those with moderate to severe multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of an eight-week home-based physiotherapy programme in reducing physical impairment, disability and psychological distress for people with moderate to severe multiple sclerosis (MS).

DESIGN

Pilot randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Community; subjects' homes.

SUBJECTS

Thirty people moderately to severely affected by MS (Extended Disability Status Score, EDSS, 6.5-8) were randomized to an intervention or control group.

INTERVENTION

The intervention group received twice weekly, home-based physiotherapy for eight weeks and the control group received usual care.

MAIN MEASURES

The following outcome measures were recorded at baseline, post-intervention (Week 8) and at follow-up (Week 16). Primary outcome measure; Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS29) and secondary outcome measures assessed physical impairment, MS symptoms, quality of life, mood, and disability.

RESULTS

Although the Group * Time interaction failed to reach statistical significance with MSIS29 (p = 0.925), MS - related symptom checklist (MS-RS) (p = 0.627) and for lower limb strength, right knee extension (p = 0.375) and right knee flexion (p = 0.794), there is more evidence of altered levels in the treatment group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

A minimum of 58 subjects per group are required to achieve a power of 80% at the 5% level of significance based on the MSIS29. A larger scale study is required.