The effects of Combined Treadmill Training and Pharmacological Treatment on management of Multiple Sclerosis female patients

Methods: In this quasi experimental and interventional study a sample of 20 MS patients (mean age: 36.75 years) with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores (EDSS) 1.0 to 4.0 were randomly assigned to a ‘pharmacologic treatment’ (Ph) group and a combination group of ‘pharmacologic treatment& treadmill training’ (PhTT). All these individuals used the drugs of choice ‘Rebif’ and ‘Avonex’. The intervention consisted of 8-weeks (24 sessions) of treadmill training (30 minutes each), at 40 75% of age-predicted maximum heart rate for the PhTT group. The Ph group followed their own routine treatment program. Balance, speed and endurance of walking, quality of life and fatigue were measured by Berg Balance Score, 10 meter timed walk test, 2 minute walk test, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FFS).Data were analyzed by paired t test and one way ANOVA.