Four weeks of Mollii intervention on lower limb strength, gait speed, lower back pain, quality of life and fatigue in a female person with Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: Whole body electrical garment – Mollii suit delivers sensory input to improve sensorimotor organisation, balance muscle tone, facilitate muscle contraction and reduce pain experience. The aim of this study was to evaluate 4 weeks of Mollii intervention on lower limb strength, gait speed, lower back pain, quality of life and fatigue in a female person with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). Methods: Mollii was programmed by physiotherapist and subsequently worn at home for 60 minutes for 4 weeks every second day, by a female participant with primary progressive MS. Participant was walking with 2 elbow crutches. Stimulation parameters: pulse width 25-175 microseconds, constant current at 20 Hertz. Usability and perceived effects were monitored by a weekly phone call. Five time sit to stand (5xSTS) was used for functional lower limb strength, Timed Up and Go test (TUG) to evaluate gait speed, Visual analogue scale 0-10 (VAS) for the perceived back pain, Multiple Sclerosis Impact scale (MSIS29v2) for the quality-of-life and Modified Fatigue Impact scale (MFIS) for patient reported fatigue. Data was collected at baseline (T1) and 4 weeks (T2) later. Results: No adverse effects were reported. Compliance was 100% (14 sessions in 4 weeks). T1: 5xSTS was 20.73 seconds and T2: 12.76, change of 7.97sec., T1: TUG 29.09 sec. T2: 19.97, change of 9.12sec. VAS for pain T1: 6 points, T2: 0, change of 6 points: T1: MSIS29v2 total 86 points), T2: MSIS29v2 total 57 change of 29 points, T1: MFIS total 68 points, T2: 36 points, change of 32 points. Conclusion: This case study provides preliminary evidence of the effect of Mollii treatment for pwMS. High compliance and home usability are additional benefits in the Covid times. Larger studies that include muscle tone assessment will be particularly interesting as Mollii intervention might be an alternative approach to baclofen or surgical interventions.