Improving Hand Use in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) frequently causes reduced use of one of the hands, and as a result,
much of daily living activities are conducted only by the other hand, leaving the person
effective one-handed. Nonetheless, reduced hand use can be improved for extended amounts of
time with specific forms of physical therapy, as long as persons with MS have the ability to
perform the training tasks.

This study will randomize persons with MS who have relatively reduced use of one of the
hands to either CI therapy or CAM treatments. Treatment in either program will be for 2
consecutive weeks, 3.5 hours per day (Monday-Friday), under the direct supervision of a
specially trained therapist. Before starting, participants will also undergo comprehensive
medical and physical exam screening and brain MRI scan. The same evaluations will be
performed after treatment to learn whether any of these have changed as a result of
treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

- diagnosis of non-relapsing multiple sclerosis (primary progressive MS, secondary
progressive MS)

- reduced use of one of the hands because of MS

- ability to pick up and release a small object with the more-affected hand when
requested

- can travel to the treatment program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

- can undergo treatment for 2 weeks (Monday-Friday), 3.5 hours per day

- can undergo MRI scan

- any kind of medication used for MS is allowed except spasticity medicine

Exclusion Criteria:

- disease relapse in the past 3 months

- pregnancy

- marked pain with arm movement

- severe uncontrolled medical illness

- simultaneous treatment with another form of physical therapy