Multiple Sclerosis

Positive effects of Galileo side-alternating vibration on MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex, progressive inflammatory, degenerative, and autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that causes a wide range of signs and symptoms.  The most common signs and symptoms of MS are sensory changes, fatigue, balance disturbances, gait problems, spasticity, motor weakness, ataxia, and impaired muscular performance. Fatigue, often severe, affects about 85% of MS patients which causes decreased mobility, leads to impaired functional capacity and subsequently reduced physical activity and sporting. So this life style which reduces mobility can lead to secondary sequels such as obesity, osteoporosis, and/or cardiovascular damage.

The exposure to heat during the physical exercise can lead to worsening symptoms. Exercise programs must be designed to activate working muscles but avoid overload that results in conduction block.

Various forms of exercise training have been found to be well tolerated and to improve symptoms in people with MS. Traditionally, these programs have focused on aerobic exercise and resistance training, but, over the last several years, whole body vibration (WBV) has become increasingly popular as a method of exercise both for people with neurological disorders and for the general population.

Whole body vibration (WBV) is an efficient training method to improve muscle strength. It has been demonstrated that WBV is safe and an effective method for improving postural control in elderly subjects. In addition, studies have shown positive effects of WBV on postural control, balance, mobility, strength and endurance in MS.

To prevent exacerbation due to intense physical activity, moderate intensity exercise programs are suggested. The combination of resistance training with WBV can increase the severity of training without rapid increase of body temperature or cause fatigue that could induce exacerbation.

Consequences of MS:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Reduced capability and motivation to perform exercise / training
  • Secondary effects of immobility
  • Spasticity
  • Contractions

MS training goals:

  • Improve muscle force
  • Improve high muscle power (stair climbing, stand up from a chair)
  • Stretching to prevent contraction
  • Improve coordination (using less force but higher power)
  • Improve balance

What kind of training is needed?

  • Training of the neurological system and muscle system
  • Reflex based (independent of motivation)
  • Not exhausting for the cardiovascular system
  • Training of neuromuscular communication as it is necessary for daily activities
  • Short training time
  • Low impact on joints, ligaments and tendon
  • Training stimulus has to be adjusted in a wide range because the degree of immobility in MS varies a lot.

Condition effects:

  • Improvement in timed up and go test
  • Improvement of chair rising
  • Improvement of balance
  • Higher gait speed and walking distance

Studies – Multiple Sclerosis