Effectiveness of rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis

Unlike other areas of rehabilitation, which typically follow a single incid ent such as trauma or stroke and are followed by improvement (or at least a n expectation of stable impairment), multiple sclerosis (MS) presents the p roblem of progressive impairment and disability. In addition the nature and course of this progression are variable, so that the population is heterog eneous. Expectations for outcome must be modest, and measurement should be focused on quality on life issues. On a background of pre-existing complex disability, multiple single-case (b efore and after) study designs often present the best evidence for effectiv eness of the team approach and for specific interventions. This evidence is presented and reviewed.