Reduction in respiratory muscle strength, that limits the exercise tolerance and the activity of daily living of multiple sclerosis patients, has already been reported in several studies. It is however unclear as to whether a rehabilitation program with exercise training may improve the poor exercise tolerance of these patients. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of physical training (inspiratory muscle training, wheelchair training and aquatic training), assisted by a clinical exercise physiologist, on lung function parameters, during a four week rehabilitation program for multiple sclerosis patients. 30 patients (mean age 53.2 yrs; duration of illness 18.1 yrs; severity of illness as assessed by the Functional Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 6 to 8) were included in the study. Training group 1 (n = 10) received inspiratory muscle training; wheelchair training and aquatic training. Training group 2 (n = 10) received inspiratory muscle training. A third group who performed no training served as a control group (n = 10). Spirometry, maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) and maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax) were evaluated. Results after training shown beneficial changes in training group 1: PImax (p < 0.01, median > mean) and PEmax (p > 0.05, median > mean) and in training group 2: PImax (p < 0.05, median > mean) and PEmax (p > 0.05, median > mean). No changes were observed for the control group (p > 0.05; median < mean). We conclude that physical training, assisted by a clinical exercise physiologist, may be an additional safe and effective method of rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis patients with an EDSS score between 6 and 8.

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