Cold effect on oxygen uptake, perceived exertion, and spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis

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 0.7m/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 < .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. (C) 1998 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.