Rehabilitation for people with Multiple Sclerosis

Rehabilitation varies depending upon the range, expression, severity, and progression of symptoms. MS rehabilitation may help to accomplish the following:

• restore functions that are essential to the activities of daily living (ADLs)
• help the patient to reach maximum independence
• promote family involvement
• empower the patient to make the appropriate decisions relating to his/her care
• educate the patient regarding the use of assistive devices (i.e., canes, braces, walkers)
  
  
  
• establish an appropriate exercise program that promotes muscle strength, endurance, and control
• reestablish motor skills
• improve communication skills for patients who have difficulty speaking because of weakness or incoordination of face and tongue muscles
• manage bowel or bladder incontinence
• provide cognitive retraining
• adapt the home environment to emphasize function, safety, accessibility, and mobility