Cooling garment treatment in MS: Clinical improvement and decrease in leukocyte NO production

Abstract

Ten heat-sensitive patients with MS were randomly allocated in a cross-over study to wear a cooling garment for 60 minutes at 7 °C (active cooling) and 26 °C (sham cooling). In contrast to sham cooling, active cooling improved fatigue and postural stability with eyes closed and muscle strength. There was no decrease in tympanic temperature, but active cooling was associated with a 41% decrease in mean leukocyte nitric oxide (NO) production (<i>p</i> = 0.004). This effect on NO could be relevant because it blocks conduction in demyelinated axons.