[Effect of variable magnetic field on motor impairment and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis].

Modern treatment of multiple sclerosis (SM) takes into consideration the current stage of the disease, symptomatic treatment and modification of the course of the disease. The most promising method of management is immunotherapy. It is, however, effective only in some cases, in patients with low degree of disability, and it is rather expensive. In view of some recent reports concerning the possibility of utilisation of variable magnetic fields in the treatment of SM, the study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of impulses generated by magnetic field obtained by means of VIOFOR JPS stimulator. The study was carried out on 76 subjects with long-term history of clinically confirmed SM. The mean duration of the disease was 8.5 years, and the mean age of the patients 37.8 years. The patients were divided into two groups: the study group and the controls. In the study group the patients were exposed to magnetic fields generated by VIOFOR JPS. Magnetic stimulation was not applied in the control group. The progress of the disease according to EDDS and the quality of life according to Testa and Simonson Questionnaire were assessed on admission and after 21 days of stimulation. No significant differences between the groups were found with respect to motor impairment evaluated using the EDDS score (6.2 at the beginning of the study and 5.1 after 21 days; in the control group--6.1 and 5.6, respectively). The quality of life was found to be significantly better in the group exposed to magnetic field stimulation than in the controls (p < 0.01). Particular variables contributing to the physical, psychological and social component of quality of life were analysed in detail. The most significant difference was observed with respect to the improvement of mental condition of the patients (alleviation of depression, elimination of anxiety, better emotional control), as well as to the decrease of muscle tone, dysaesthesia and painful sensations. No side effects were observed in any of the cases. The obtained effects encourage us to recommend magnetic stimulation as a method supplementing symptomatic treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis.