Rehabilitation in disseminated sclerosis: an evaluation of 28 patients.

The results of rehabilitation have been described and evaluated in a group of 28 patients moderately severely disabled with disseminated sclerosis between the ages of 19 and 71 years and in a controlled hospital setting. Twenty-three suffered chronic progressive disease and five were in remission from an acute exacerbation. They had had the disease an average of 12.7 years and were hospitalized an average of 5.4 months. On admission, 24 required much assistance with their activities of daily living, six had poor control of elimination, and four were depressed. On discharge, 13 cared for themselves with little or no help, four had overcome their problems of elimination, and three had improved emotionally. A major symptom in 13, fatigue, did not preclude successful performance, but a progression of disease or failure to react steadfastly did. None were gainfully employed. Six years after discharge, 18 of 20 were alive and happy at home.