• DOI:10.1089/acm.2013.0188
• Corpus ID: 30797534

A multimodal intervention for patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: feasibility and effect on fatigue.

@article{Bisht2014AMI,
  title={A multimodal intervention for patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: feasibility and effect on fatigue.},
  author={Babita Bisht and Warren G. Darling and Ruth Grossmann and E. Torage Shivapour and Susan K. Lutgendorf and Linda G. Snetselaar and Michael J. Hall and M. Bridget Zimmerman and Terry L Wahls},
  journal={Journal of alternative and complementary medicine},
  year={2014},
  volume={20 5},
  pages={
          347-55
        }
}

• Babita Bisht, W. Darling, +6 authors T. Wahls
• Published 1 May 2014
• Medicine, Psychology
• Journal of alternative and complementary medicine

BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease influenced by environmental factors.

OBJECTIVES
The feasibility of a multimodal intervention and its effect on perceived fatigue in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis were assessed.

DESIGN/SETTING
This was a single-arm, open-label intervention study in an outpatient setting.

INTERVENTIONS
A multimodal intervention including a modified paleolithic diet with supplements, stretching, strengthening exercises with electrical stimulation of trunk and lower limb muscles, meditation, and massage was used.

OUTCOME MEASURES
Adherence to each component of the intervention was calculated using daily logs. Side-effects were assessed from a monthly questionnaire and blood analyses. Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Data were collected at baseline and months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12.

RESULTS
Ten (10) of 13 subjects who were enrolled in a 2-week run-in phase were eligible to continue in the 12-month main study. Of those 10 subjects, 8 completed the study and 6 subjects fully adhered to the study intervention for 12 months. Over a 12-month period, average adherence to diet exceeded 90% of days, and to exercise/muscle stimulation exceeded 75% of days. Nutritional supplements intake varied among and within subjects. Group daily average duration of meditation was 13.3 minutes and of massage was 7.2 minutes. No adverse side-effects were reported. Group average FSS scores decreased from 5.7 at baseline to 3.32 (p=0.0008) at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS
In this small, uncontrolled pilot study, there was a significant improvement in fatigue in those who completed the study. Given the small sample size and completer rate, further evaluation of this multimodal therapy is warranted.