Occupational Therapy in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Limb apraxia is defined as the inability to correctly perform skilled and/or learned limb movements, which cannot be explained by elementary motor and sensory deficits or cognitive problems. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and the leading cause of disability in young adults. Apraxia and impaired manual dexterity are common problems in patients with MS leading to impaired activities of daily living. However, a specific training program to improve apraxia as well as manual dexterity in MS is lacking. In this study, the investigators want to evaluate the impact of a targeted occupational therapy program on apraxia and manual dexterity in patients with MS that have dexterity problems. Patients routinely seen in the investigators MS consulting hour, fulfilling all inclusion and exclusion criteria and willing to participate in the study will be evaluated for Apraxia and manual dexterity. In case of Apraxia and/or impaired manual dexterity, patients will be randomized 1:1 using sealed envelopes to receive occupational home therapy (experimental group) or general physical exercises (control group) for 4 weeks. At study entry and study end after 4 weeks, apraxia and manual dexterity will be tested in all patients.