Treatment
There is currently no cure for MS. However, there are various treatment options to inhibit relapses, to keep the course symptom free and to stop the progression of the disease.
Physiotherapy
- Maintain joint mobility
- Maintain motor response
- Improve coordination and posture
- Increase core stability
- Improve gait
Occupational therapy
- Maintain maximum independence for personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, etc.
- Teach safe transfer techniques, particularly sitting to sitting
- Improve both superficial and deep sensory issues, such as tingling
- Improve coordination of voluntary movements: fine motor skills, coordination of both hands, agility, strength and endurance
- Writing exercises to improve coordination
- Adapt the home environment to improve quality of life
- Help to manage fatigue
Tailored physical activity programmes
- Teach techniques to manage exertion and fatigue
- Stimulate coordination of the lower/upper limbs (e.g., pilates, basketball, aerobics, dance, etc.)
- Help to make sport and exercise enjoyable again
Neuropsychological rehabilitation
Neuropsychology makes use of remaining abilities in order to rehabilitate and/or compensate for impaired cognitive skills.
Neuropsychological therapy mainly focuses on improving:
- Memory skills
- Executive functions (i.e., multitasking, planning daily tasks, etc.)
- Attention disorders (i.e., speed of information processing)
In order to achieve this, several approaches are used, such as:
- Games focused on cognitive skills
- Specific computer software tools (RehaCom, iGerip, Cogniplus®)
- Paper-and-pencil exercises
Speech and language therapy
Speech and language therapy sessions mainly focus on improving speech and voice function as well as swallowing disorders.
Sessions cover a wide range of activities, including:
- Speech exercises
- Oral motor exercises
- Vocal exercises
- Food therapy (adapting food textures, techniques for protecting the airway, etc.)
Our speech and language therapists can also develop alternative means of communication to help patients interact more with their family and friends.