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Abstract
Multiple sclerosis: effectiveness of the Wim Hof method
published in September - October 2019 - in Il Fisioterapista - issue n.5
Massimino Chiocchetti, Claudio Vaccari, Carla Naletto, Roberto Pellicini

The Wim Hof method (WHM), formulated in the early 2000s by the Dutchman Wim Hof, is a training technique that influences the innate immune response, altering the production of inflammatory cytokines and the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. In autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), alteration of the inflammatory response is responsible for the progression of the disability. The aim of this study was to verify whether the practice of this method can positively influence the condition of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), in particular, their motor performance and quality of life.
The treatment protocol, which consisted of a set of exercises based on breathing, concentration and exposure to cold, produced a significant improvement (p <0.05) in walking speed, quality of life and pain perception. Patient-perceived benefits were also reported. The Wim Hof method thus showed to be supportive therapy in the treatment of RRMS. However, further research is needed to confirm these results and to determine the mechanism underlying the method, i.e. how exactly it works.