Effect of Cooling Vest on Fatigue and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters on Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Review

Background: Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RrMS) is the most common type of multiple sclerosis, where a person experiences episodes of new or worsening symptoms (relapses) followed by periods of  recovery (remissions). These symptoms come and go and while they may disappear completely during a remission, they can also leave lasting effects or increase disability over time.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a wearable cooling vest in reducing fatigue and improving spatiotemporal gait parameters in RrMS.
Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct for Multiple sclerosis, Fatigue, Cooling vest, Gait analysis, Spatiotemporal parameters and Thermoregulation. Only the most recent or thorough investigation, from 2003 to 2024 was taken into account. The writers evaluated relevant literature references as well. Documents written in languages other than English have been ignored. Papers that were not regarded as significant scientific research included dissertations, oral presentations, conference abstracts, and unpublished manuscripts were excluded. The literature was reviewed in order to review the various conservative treatment options regarding the efficacy of cooling effect on fatigue and spatiotemporal gait parameters on multiple sclerosis patient using Kinovea software.
Conclusion: Cooling vest is a good option for improving fatigue and gait parameters, including step length, cadence and walking speed on multiple sclerosis patients. Cooling vests can be a beneficial non-pharmacological strategy to reduce fatigue and enhance gait performance in RrMS, offering a promising addition to rehabilitation protocols.