Fatigue is the most common symptom among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting between 50% and 90% of MS patients (Colosimo et al., 1995, Krupp, 2004, Fisk et al., 1994). It is the most debilitating symptom of MS (Kos et al., 2008) and continues to be the primary cause of withdrawal from active life (Kalb 2004). Some 55% of patients consider fatigue to be one of the three most significant symptoms of their illness (Fisk et al., 1994). In 48% of cases, fatigue can intensify other symptoms (Freal et al., 1984). In some cases, fatigue can exist before the appearance of the clinical neurological signs of the illness (Fisk et al., 1994).
Some research (Toth, 2007, Vardy, 1994, Yates et al., 2002) has shown the potential positive effect of osteopathy on the symptoms associated with MS and on the improvement of certain parameters of functional mobility. A clinical trial led by Bozzini in 2010 was designed to assess the effect of comprehensive osteopathic treatment on the level of fatigue experienced by people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. In a chronological experiment carried out over 10 weeks, 17 people with relapsing-remitting MS received three osteopathic treatments. Fatigue was measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). The results indicated that comprehensive osteopathic treatment could help decrease the level of fatigue experienced by people with relapsing-remitting MS.
Despite the extensive research available, the physiopathological mechanisms underlying the fatigue associated with MS are still poorly understood. With regard to therapeutic strategies, current research shows the importance of matching non-pharmacological approaches with traditional pharmacological treatments. Osteopathic treatment could therefore be beneficial for enhancing certain parameters of functional mobility (Yates et al., 2002, Toth, 2007) and decreasing the level of fatigue experienced by people with MS (Bozzini, 2010).
Hi there.
I am an osteopathic manual practitioner working in BC. I notice that there are several references in the body of the text here, I was just wondering if you have any links to get these papers (or just the titles) as I am reading into the subject and there is no reference section at the end of the article…
kind regards
Paul.
Hi,
First of all very sorry for the delay of response, I have been extremely busy. Thanks for your question, I will add the references onto the Qualita site, which I forgot to do in the first place. In the meanwhile, here are the references.
Thank you for your interest,
Anna
TOTH, A. (2007). Along The Dura Mater in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Thesis.
Wiener Schule für Osteopathi.
VARDY, T.C. (1997). « Enhancing homeostasis using osteopathic techniques for
multiple sclerosis. » Australian Journal of Osteopathy 8(2), 20-26.
YATES, H.A., VARDY, T.C., KUCHERA, M.L., RIPLEY, B.D. and JOHNSON J.C.
(2002). « Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and Concentric and
Eccentric Maximal-Effort Exercise On Women With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot
Study ». JAOA 102, 267 – 275.
Hi,
I assumed you where interested mostly in the osteopathic literature, but here is the rest of the references, including my own research project.
Regards,
Anna
BOZZINI, A. (2010). The Impact of Osteopathic Treatment on Fatigue Levels in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Thesis. Collège d’Études Ostéopathiques de Montréal.
COLOSIMO C., MILLEFIORINI E., GRASSO M. G., VINCI F., FIORELLI M. et al.
Fatigue in MS is associated with specific clinical features. Acta Neurol. Scand.
1995, 92 : 353-355.
FISK, J.D., RITVO, P.G., ROSS, L., HAASE, D.A., MARRIE, T.J., SCHLECH, W.F.
(1994). « Measuring the Functional Impact of Fatigue: Initial Validation of the
Fatigue Impact Scale ». Clin Infect Dis. 18, 79-83.
FREAL, J.E., KRAFT, G.H., et CORYELL, J.K. (1984). « Symptomatic fatigue in
multiple sclerosis ». Arch Phys Med Rehabil 65, 135-138.
KALB, R. (2004). Multiple Sclerosis : The Questions You Have The Answers You
Need. New York, N.Y.: Demos Medical Pub.
KOS, D., KERCKHOFS, E., NAGELS, G., D’HOOGHE, M.B. et Ilsbroukx, S. (2008). «
Origin of Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: Review of the Literature ». Neurorehabil
Neural Repair 22, 1-10.
KRUPP, L.B. (2004). Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis : A Guide to Diagnosis and
Management. MD Demos Medical Publishing.
I just happen to stumble upon your research and find it very interesting. Is there a way I can get a hold of your paper?
Bonjour Mme Bozzini,
J’essaie de retracer votre document de thèse sur le net avec la référence ci-haut mentionnée car le sujet me passionne, mais cela ne fonctionne pas.
Serait-il possible de m’indiquer comment y accéder?
Merci beaucoup!!!