Treatment of Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Neurocognitive Approach

Mauro Catalan; Alessandra De Michiel; Alessio Bratina; Susanna Mezzarobba; Lorella Pellegrini; Roberto Marcovich; Francesca Tamiozzo; Giovanna Servillo; Laura Zugna; Antonio Bosco; Arianna Sartori; Gilberto Pizzolato; Marino Zorzon

doi:10.1155/2011/670537

Rehabilitation Research and Practice (Jan 2011)

Treatment of Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Neurocognitive Approach

Mauro Catalan,
Alessandra De Michiel,
Alessio Bratina,
Susanna Mezzarobba,
Lorella Pellegrini,
Roberto Marcovich,
Francesca Tamiozzo,
Giovanna Servillo,
Laura Zugna,
Antonio Bosco,
Arianna Sartori,
Gilberto Pizzolato,
Marino Zorzon

Affiliations

Mauro Catalan: Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
Alessandra De Michiel: School of Physiotherapy, University of Trieste, Via G. Pascoli 31, 34129 Trieste, Italy
Alessio Bratina: Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
Susanna Mezzarobba: School of Physiotherapy, University of Trieste, Via G. Pascoli 31, 34129 Trieste, Italy
Lorella Pellegrini: School of Physiotherapy, University of Trieste, Via G. Pascoli 31, 34129 Trieste, Italy
Roberto Marcovich: School of Physiotherapy, University of Trieste, Via G. Pascoli 31, 34129 Trieste, Italy
Francesca Tamiozzo: School of Physiotherapy, University of Trieste, Via G. Pascoli 31, 34129 Trieste, Italy
Giovanna Servillo: Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
Laura Zugna: Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
Antonio Bosco: Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
Arianna Sartori: Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
Gilberto Pizzolato: Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
Marino Zorzon: Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/670537
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 2011

Abstract

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The objective of the study was to treat fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by a neurocognitive rehabilitation program aimed at improving motor planning by using motor imagery (MI). Twenty patients with clinically definite MS complaining of fatigue were treated for five weeks with exercises of neurocognitive rehabilitation twice a week. Patients were evaluated by Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), MSQoL54, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and MS Functional Composite (MSFC). After treatment, a decrease in fatigue was detected with both FSS (𝑃=0.0001) and MFIS (𝑃=0.0001). MSFC (𝑃=0.035) and MSQoL54 (𝑃=0.002) scores improved compared to baseline. At six-month followup, the improvement was confirmed for fatigue (FSS, 𝑃=0.0001; MFIS 𝑃=0.01) and for the physical subscale of MSQoL54 (𝑃=0.049). No differences in disability scales were found. These results show that neurocognitive rehabilitation, based on MI, could be a strategy to treat fatigue in MS patients.

Published in Rehabilitation Research and Practice

ISSN: 2090-2867 (Print); 2090-2875 (Online)
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General)
Website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/8095

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