Patients with neuromuscular diseases benefit from treatment in a warm climate

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J Rehabil Med. 2007 Sep;39(7):554-9.

Patients with neuromuscular diseases benefit from treatment in a

warm climate.

Nordby PA, Staalesen Strumse YA, Frøslie KF, Stanghelle JK.

Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have shown positive effects of treatment

of chronic diseases in a warm climate. The aim of this study was to

evaluate the long-term effect of a 4-week rehabilitation programme

in a warm climate for patients with neuromuscular diseases.

DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with a cross-over design. One

period of intervention and one period of " life as usual " .

PATIENTS: A total of 60 persons with a neuromuscular diagnosis.

METHODS: Long-term effects were defined as changes in physical and

psychological functions persisting after 3 months. Several scales

were used according to the World Health Organization's

classification of functioning.

RESULTS: A comparison of the changes in the 2 periods showed

significantly better results for all primary outcome scales in

favour of the intervention. Mean difference in changes in pain (VAS

scale), 6-min walking test and " timed up and go " were 9.0 (SD 28.8)

units, 52 (75) m and 1.0 (2.3) sec, p = 0, 03, < 0.01 and 0.01,

respectively. Median difference in changes in " Fatigue Severity

Scale " and " Life Satisfaction Scale " were 0.4 (-0.5, 1.7) and 0.0

(0.0, 1.0), p = < 0.01 and 0.01, respectively.

CONCLUSION: This study shows positive long-term effects on different

dimensions of health after a 4-week rehabilitation programme in a

warm climate for patients with neuromuscular diseases. This effect

might be due to the programme, the warm climate, or a combination of

both.