Article

Cooling of thermosensitive patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can improve
clinical symptoms. In order to study the effectiveness of an advanced lightweight
cooling-garment technology based on aquatic evaporation, a single-blinded
balanced crossover study was performed on 20 patients with an Expanded Disability
Status Scale score < or =6.5. The results using a tight-cuff cooling-garment
prototype for peripheral cooling suggest improvement of a timed-walking test,
leg-strength, fine-motor skills and subjective benefits. Preliminary data of the
heart rate variability (HRV) including six patients suggest that the MS patients
show an abnormal HRV after sham condition, which is normalized after cooling.
Technical information was gained about the cooling activity and the
practicability and handling of the device. These encouraging findings promote
further adaptations of the prototype to increase its cooling properties and
ameliorate the practicability of the cooling garment.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI