Objective: To assess the benefit of a program of rehabilitation involving eccentric isokinetic muscle strengthening for hamstrings of patient with multiple sclerosis.
Patients and methods: A total of 28 patients with multiple sclerosis and abnormalities when walking who underwent a program of rehabilitation involving eccentric isokinetic muscle strengthening associated with classical neurological rehabilitation. Assessment was by use of an isokinetic test, clinical examination and score on a visual analog scale (VAS) about quality of walking at the beginning and end of the rehabilitation program and three months later. The rehabilitation program involved eccentric isokinetic exercises during 12 sessions.
Results: Patients with multiple sclerosis and difficulty walking showed weak hamstrings on manual muscular testing. After 12 sessions of isokinetic eccentric rehabilitation, hamstring and quadriceps strength increased, VAS score increased, and recurvatum of the knee improved in 26 cases. Three months later, the score for quality of walking remained the same, but that for strength returned to a previous level.
Conclusion: Hamstring strength in patients with multiple sclerosis can be improved without complication with use of eccentric isokinetic rehabilitation. This is an interesting way to improve the quality of walking in these patients.