Effect of pulsing magnetic fields therapy on multiple sclerosis fatigue
and selected features of quality of life

Abstract:

Aim of this study: Fatigue is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). In the recent years there have been numerous rapports concerning utilization of magnetostimulation in treatment of this conventional met- hods-proof complication. The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of pulsing magnetic fields generated by magnetostimulator on the level of fatigue and selected aspects of MS patients ’quality of life.

Materials and methods: The research was conducted amongst 48 people with clinically definite MS, experiencing intensive fatigue. The duration of the disease was on average 8.5±5,6 years, and the average age of the patients was 41.8 ±9,2 years. The patients were divided randomly into two groups: the control group and the examined group. The examined group was treated with magnetic field generated by magne¬tostimulator, while the control group was treated with the device with option of a placebo. The procedures were performed 2 times a day for 6 weeks. In the beginning and after 3 and 6 weeks there was an evalu- ation of levels of: disability with Expanded Disability Status Scale(EDSS), fatigue with Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), depression with Beck Depression Inventory (BDE) and the quality of life with Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS).

Results: There was a significant decrease of fatigue after 6 weeks in the group treated with magnetic field in comparison to the placebo group, both in the FFS (4,1 versus 5,1) and the MFIS (28,22 v. 39.61). The main differences concerned the physical (p = 0.0018) and cognitive (p = 0.035) aspect of fatigue. People treated with magnetic field after 6 week also declared a better quality’ of life (124,3 ± 15,6 versus 96,8 ± 15,2), as evaluated by E4MS questionnaire. The evaluation in the EDSS scale did not showed any improvement of motor ability in both groups.

Conclusions: Magnetostimulation significantly decreases the le\’el of fatigue in multiple sclerosis and positively influences some aspects of MS patients’ quality’ of life (emotional state, content of life, thinking and fatigue). It may prove itself as an alternative method of symptomatic treatment of MS patients.