[Treatment of patients with postpolio syndrome in warm climate]

Abstract

Background: Treatment in a warm climate of various patient groups, including patients with postpolio syndrome, is controversial.

Material and methods: 88 patients with postpolio syndrome (61 women) were recruited, stratified according to sex, age (<> 60 years old) and use/non-use of electrical wheelchair, and randomized to three groups. Group 1 (n = 30) underwent treatment in a rehabilitation centre in Tenerife for four weeks in November/December 1999. Group 2 (n = 29) was treated in two similar centres in Norway for the same period of time, while Group 3 (n = 29), the control group, followed their ordinary health care programme. All patients were tested at the start of the study and three and six months later with physical tests and several questionnaire and qualitative interviews. Patients in groups 1 and 2 were also tested after the rehabilitation period.

Results: Groups 1 and 2 improved significantly both in physical tests and subjective ratings. The positive effects in group 1 tended to exceed the positive effects in group 2, and the effects lasted longer. Six minutes walking distance in the two groups was 347 metres and 316 metres, respectively before the treatment period, 429 metres and 362 metres immediately after, and 431 metres and 356 metres three months later. Subjective rating of pain (VAS scale) was 42 and 43 respectively before treatment, 17 and 31 immediately after, and 28 and 44 three months later. In the control group, only minor changes were found.

Interpretation: The study seems to document a positive effect of treatment of patients with postpolio syndrome in a warm climate.