A controlled investigation of bodywork in multiple sclerosis

Objective: To determine whether a course of Feldenkrais bodywork would resu lt in significant improvement in physical, mood symptoms and functioning in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients beyond the effects observed using a sham condition (nontherapeutic bodywork). Design: The bodywork method used was the Feldenkrais method. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups in a crossover design to control for ord er effects of treatment. Half of the subjects received 8 weeks of sham sess ions followed by 8 weeks of Feldenkrais sessions. The other half of the sub jects received Feldenkrais sessions first and then sham. All subjects compl eted the outcome measures prior to the first course of treatment, in betwee n Feldenkrais and sham, and at study completion. Setting: Participants were recruited from a regional MS clinic and were adm inistered bodywork treatment and outcome measures in a bodywork practitione r's office. Subjects: Twenty individuals with clinically definite MS and di sability status scores between 2.0 and 6.0 participated. Outcome measures: Nine-hole pegboard test of hand dexterity, Hospital Anxie ty and Depression Scale, MS self-efficacy scale, MS Symptom Inventory, MS P erformance Scales, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Results: The only significant differences were observed for perceived stres s and lowered anxiety after Feldenkrais sessions. There were nonsignificant trends toward higher self-efficacy after both Feldenkrais and sham session s. MS symptoms, levels of functional ability, and upper extremity performan ce were not affected by Feldenkrais or sham sessions.