2. Disease Overview
Most widespread cause of
neurological disability
worldwide
“Multiple”- many affected
locations possible
“Sclerosis”- hardened plaque
in form of scars/lesions, from
attacks on the CNS
http://econnect.uspharmacist.com/
3. What causes MS?
Autoimmune hypothesis
Antibodies attack
oligodendrocytes
demyelination
Leads to conduction
blockage or slowed impulse
transmission
http://www.msif.org
4. Who develops MS?
Caucasians twice as likely
as other races
Women twice as likely as
men
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/
5. Types of MS
Relapsing-remitting
Secondary progressive
Primary progressive
Progressive-relapsing
http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/
6. Symptoms
Variable in every patient
Poor posture and balance
Pain
Spasticity
Fatigue
Heat intolerance
Exacerbates symptoms (heat
causes even slower transmission
in demyelinated areas)
www.examiner.com
7. Treatment
2 categories
Disease modifying vs. Optimizing functional capacity
Ideally should begin after first definite attack
To minimize spreading and damage
Treatment =
Improvement of attacks
Management of symptoms
Prevention of relapse and progression
Rehabilitation
8. Disease Modifying- Drug
Treatment
Immunotherapy
Interferon
Copolymer-1
Decreased lesion count,
30% reduction in relapse
rate, delay to clinical
progression (Soldan and
Rodriguez, 2002)
www.msconnections.org
9. Drug Treatment- Interferon beta
Proven
improvement
in survival
rates for
patients
undergoing
interferon
beta
treatment
http://www.ucsf.edu/
10. Disease Modifying-
Transplantation
Transplanting oligodendrocytes
To enhance myelin repair in CNS
Stem cell transplantation
Contain myelin-producing cells
Long term study of 21 adults (also
given standard therapy)- none saw
further deterioration over 3 yr
period
http://www.healthcarecentraltexas.com
11. Optimizing Capacity- Physical
Therapy
Main general goals
Improve or maintain mobility and
balance
Build tolerance for activity
Reduce symptom impact
Provides task-specific stimuli fo
neural reorganization
Electrical stimulation
http://www.tcpalm.com/
12. Optimizing Capacity- Occupational
Therapy
Main general goals
Helping patients lead
independent lives
Compensating for limiting
disabilities
Daily modifications
Energy conservation
Designing equipment for
everyday functionality http://www.mscentrebedsandnorthants.co
13. Acknowledgements
GHS Acute Care PT Staff
Lori Taggert
GHS Outpatient PT Staff
GHS Inpatient Rehabilitation
Staff
Lori Godbee
Susan Ybarra
Editor's Notes
Caucasians and women twice as likely to develop MS
