Empirically, several patients with MS have reported improved function in warm climate during therapy or vacation. This is in contrast to the heat intolerance frequently reported in MS. Heat intolerance seems, however, to be individually distributed among the MS patients, and may seem to be related to the degree of warmth.
Sixty patients with gait problems and without heat intolerance were included in a cross-over study. They were randomized to a 4-week inpatient physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept in Norway or Spain, with cross-over the year after. Data from five physical performance measures and six self-reported measures were collected at screening, baseline, after treatment and three and six months after both treatment-periods. Change over time within groups and comparisons of change between groups were analyzed by mixed models.
