Case Report: Improving gait and fatigue in multiple sclerosis through wearable electrical stimulation: a single-patient study

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system characterized by progressive impairments in gait, balance, coordination, and fatigue. The Exopulse Mollii Suit (EMS) has been recently introduced as a non-invasive method for delivering peripheral surface electrical stimulation to alleviate motor dysfunction in individuals with neurological disorders. This case study evaluated the effects of a 1-Month home-based EMS intervention on functional and biomechanical outcomes in a woman with relapsing-remitting MS. Specifically, a 53-year-old woman, clinically stable and not receiving pharmacological treatment, used the EMS suit every other day for 60-minute sessions over one month. Assessments were conducted at Baseline, Post-Session (after one EMS use), after 1-Month of therapy, and at Follow-Up (one month after therapy cessation). Clinical evaluations included the 6 Min Walk Test (6MWT), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). Additionally, instrumented balance and strength assessments were performed using the Hunova robotic platform. Progressive improvements were observed in all clinical outcomes: 6MWT distance increased by 28 meters, gait speed improved by 14%, TUG times decreased, and MFIS scores reflected a 30% reduction in fatigue. Balance robotic evaluations showed improvements in postural control, center of pressure metrics, and stabilization times. Notably, improvements were observed after a single session, became more consistent after one month, and were partially sustained at Follow-Up, but a regression toward baseline was observed for some outcomes. Hence, the EMS appears to be a promising home-based intervention for improving gait, balance, and fatigue in MS. However, further studies should be performed to validate these findings in larger cohorts.