P-2-06-11
GALVANIC SKIN RESPONSES IN MULTIPL SCLEROSIS
Ayse Yahman*, Mefkure Eraksoy**, Guzin Dilsen* (Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, *Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, **Department of Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey)
Clinical symptoms and signs of defective autonomic regulation such as bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction, abnormal cardiovascular responses to the Valsalva maneuver are observed frequently in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
In order to evaluate sympathetic system activity of patients with MS, we measured galvanic skin resistance (GSR) in 23 patients with MS and in 82 healthy controls.
GSR measurements were made by a Biotrainer apparatus (OG Giken Co, Ltd, Model BF-102R). Autonomic exploration was conducted through the analysis of changes in skin resistance in response to deep breathing, coughing, application of electric shock and the anticipation of such stimulation.
The mean baseline GSR value was higher in the patient group than in the control group. The mean values of GSR changes to deep breathing and coughing were higher in the patient group, but the mean values of GSR changes to electric stimulation and to real and unreal electric stimulations of the anticipatory series were lower in the patient group than in the control group, and in five patients there was no response to anticipation of electric stimulation series; but the differences were not statistically significant.
Galvanic skin responses of the patients and controls were similar in this study but the impairment of autonomic activity must be studied in large groups and different types of MS.
P-2-06-12
THE EFFECT OF REFLEXOLOGY ON PARASTHESIA AND SPASTICITY IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
D. Gamus, I. Siev-Ner, D. Nitzani, D. Shaked, M. Azaria and A. Achiron. (Sheba Medical Center, Israel).
Purpose: To evaluate the effect of refioxology on paresthesia and spastisity in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods: Reflexology treatment included both pressure points in the feet and massage of the calf area (the study group). The control group received non-specific massage of the calf. Thirty six MS patients were randomized to either study or the control group, to receive 11 week treatment. Sensory deficits were evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), urinary symptoms - by American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, and spasticity was evaluated by Ashworth scale.
Results: Among 27 patients that completed this study, we detected improvement of sensory deficits in 6/10 patients (60%) who had received reflexology treatment and in 2/10 (20%) of the control group (p=0.09). Urinary symptoms were ameliorated in 6/11 (55%) and 2/11 (18%) in study and control groups, respectively (p=0.08), thus indicating a trend in favor of specific reflexology treatment.
Conclusions: Our data suggest that specific reflexology treatment may be beneficial in alleviating sensory and urinary symptoms in MS. These results justified further and a more expanded study which is currently carried out in Sheba Medical Center.
