Effects of dorsiflexor endurance exercises on foot drop secondary to multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE:
This is a pilot study to determine if endurance exercises for dorsiflexors will improve walking for people with foot drop secondary to MS, and if improvement in muscle endurance for persons with MS can be predicted based on the amount of central fatigue (CF) in the muscle. Subjects:
Five individuals with foot drop secondary to MS and five age-matched controls.

METHODS:
The intervention was 4 sets of 10 isometric contractions, at 60% of MVC, 3X/week, 8 weeks. Pretests-posttests included a dorsiflexor endurance test with superimposed electrical stimulation to measure CF, and a gait assessment including measurement of dorsiflexion at initial contact.

RESULTS:
Two of 5 subjects with MS had significant improvement in muscle endurance in both legs and in dorsiflexor control during walking. Correlation between CF and improved endurance was not significant (r=-0.07). One of the subjects with significant improvement in endurance had a significant decrease in central activation failure.

CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION:
For individuals with foot drop secondary to MS, endurance exercises for the dorsiflexors can result in improved walking. CF may not be useful in predicting whether a muscle will improve in endurance with exercise. Improvement may result from either a peripheral training effect, a central learning effect, or both.

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Author information

Author/s: Mount, Julie (J); Dacko, Stan (S);

Affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. julie.mount(-atsign-)jefferson.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation (NeuroRehabilitation), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-; vol 21 (issue 1) : pp 43-50

Dates: Created 2006/05/24; Completed 2006/08/01; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16720937, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Electric Stimulation
Exercise Therapy
Female
Gait Disorders, Neurologic - etiology; physiopathology; rehabilitation
Humans
Leg - physiopathology
Male

Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis - complications; physiopathology; rehabilitation
Muscle Fatigue - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology
Physical Endurance - physiology
Pilot Projects
Treatment Outcome
Walking - physiology

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