OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a cold bath (24 degrees C) on oxygen consumption and perceived exertion during ambulation and on spasticity in individuals with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis. DESIGN: A repeated-measures design with random assignment of experimental and control conditions. SETTING: Outpatient physical therapy department associated with an academic institution. PATIENTS: Fourteen individuals with clinically definite multiple sclerosis exhibiting spasticity and capable of ambulating at 0.7 m/sec on a motorized treadmill without handrail support. MEASUREMENT: Assessment of oxygen uptake, heart rate, and perceived exertion occurred during two 10-minute walks interspersed with a 30-minute rest on 2 separate days. Measurement of spasticity occurred three times during each session. RESULTS: Oxygen consumption and perceived exertion were unchanged. Spasticity was higher immediately (p < 0.05) after the cold bath. CONCLUSIONS: Increase in spasticity was statistically significant, but unlikely to be of any clinical importance. Contrary to our hypothesis, a cold bath (24 degrees C) for 20 minutes did not reduce oxygen consumption or rating of perceived exertion during ambulation.

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