Effect of Cooling Vest in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Effect of Cooling Vest on Fatigue and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

This study is prospective, randomized controlled trail that will be conducted to investigate the effect of cooling therapy on fatigue and gait in patient with multiple sclerosis(MS).

Thirty patients from both sexes will be enrolled in this study. They will be assigned into two equal groups (study and control groups). Patients will be diagnosed as MS patients based on careful clinical evaluation by the neurologist and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. The patients will be recruited from the faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, and El Kasr El Ainy hospitals.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Thirty MS patients of both sexes.
• Age of patients ranges from 20 to 40 years.
• NOT less than 8 months since Symptoms onset.
• The body mass index ranged (BMI) from 20 - 24.5 Kg/m2 .
• The grade of The muscle tone of the affected limbs muscles ranged from 1
• to 2 grade according to Modified Ashower scale of muscle tone
• All the patients are medically stable.
• Patients have intact sensations (deep & superficial).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other neurological and orthopedic impairments in upper or lower limb.
• Having visual and hearing problems.
• Inability to sit independently on a chair.
• Impaired cognition and impaired comprehension and ideomotor apraxia.
• History of endogenous depression or severe psychiatric disorders.
• Severe neglect, and major medical problems or comorbidities that will influence upper or lower extremity usage or cause severe pain.