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Physical Activity and New Mobility Options |
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Approximately one-half of all people with MS will at some point in their lives require a cane or other assistive device for mobility. We frequently receive questions about what new approaches might help. There are several new options these days:
- Delayed-release 4-aminopyridine (4-AP or Fampridine-SR®) is an oral medication that a recent clinical trial1 showed can improve walking speed for some people with MS. 4-AP is undergoing the FDA approval process for this indication so it is not yet commercially available. The main problem with 4-AP is that it can cause seizures in a small percentage of people who use it. Nonetheless, it will be a worthwhile medication for selected people with MS.
- Bioness® (www.bioness.com) and WalkAide® (www.walkaide.com) are examples of new assistive devices designed to correct foot drop, a problem that limits mobility in many people with MS. These devices electrically stimulate the nerve and muscles that lift the toes, enabling people to walk more easily.
MS disease-modifying therapy is probably the most important step in maximizing your mobility. We recommend that you keep in touch with your MS physician about your individual treatment plan. The best approach for you may change over time as your situation changes and as new medications complete clinical trials. While exercise is not a new approach to mobility, there are some relatively new options in Whatcom County for people with MS who want to become more physically active: - The Greater Washington Chapter of the National MS Society sponsors several exercise-related programs, including a yoga class for people with MS and assistance finding a physical activity program of your choice.
- 4th Corner Feldenkrais (www.4thcornerfeldenkrais.com) in Bellingham offers Feldenkrais training tailored to people with MS. This gentle technique for sensory/motor education decreased stress and anxiety levels in a small randomized trial of adults with MS.2
- Looking to integrate physical activity into a more eco-friendly lifestyle? Cycling is great exercise and healthy for the planet. If you have balance problems, consider a recumbent tricycle. Cambie Cycles in nearby Vancouver, British Columbia (www.cambiecycles.com) offers a good selection of trikes. In the Seattle area, the Outdoors For All Foundation (www.outdoorsforall.org) specializes in all kinds of adaptive equipment including adaptive bikes and trikes. The Berkelbike (www.berkelbike.com) is a new arm-and-leg cycle, made in the Netherlands, that can be set up as a sports trike, accommodate a wheelchair, or even supply electrical muscle stimulation to assist the pedaling motion of the legs.
- The Mount Baker Ski Area offers an adaptive skiing program for people with MS and other disabling conditions (www.mtbaker.us/instruction/adaptive). Whether you have minimal disability or use a cane, walker or wheelchair, the right adaptive skiing technique can enable you to get out there on the slopes.
- Many people with MS prefer aquatic exercise because it supports body weight, eases stress on joints, and keeps you cool while you work out. The Arne Hanna Aquatic Center (www.cob.org/services/recreation/aquatic/index.aspx) in Bellingham will provide an assistant at no extra charge to help people with disabilities get in and out of the pool.
- Not sure where to begin with physical activity? See your MS physician for an evaluation and referral to an appropriate exercise program. If you have disabilities from your MS you may benefit from an exercise prescription by a qualified physical therapist. The St. Joseph Hospital Center for Rehabilitation offers extra options for people with neurological disabilities including a body weight-supported treadmill.
For more information about exercise in MS, click on this Healthology video: http://www.healthvideo.com/video.php?id=530824&category=Multiple%20Sclerosis
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