Electrical stimulation of sensory nerves improves mobility and balance in persons with multiple sclerosis

The progressive declines in motor function of multiple sclerosis (MS) are typically preceded by decreases in sensory function. The goal of our study was to evaluate the influence of a treatment that targets sensory nerve fibers (augmented Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation; aTENS) on mobility and balance in persons with MS. Fifteen persons with MS were assessed before and after 9 sessions of aTENS. The tests included the 25-ft walk, 2-min walk, chair-rise test, grooved pegboard test (GPT), Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12). There was an improvement in both walking tests (p < 0.01), chair-rise test (p < 0.01), MFIS (p < 0.02), and MSWS-12 (p < 0.01), but not in the GPT. The gains were greater for participants with PDDS scores < 4, suggesting the treatment is more effective early in the disease progression.