Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of functional balance exercises on balance
impairment, physical activity and quality of life (QOL) in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: A multiple-baseline time-series design with an
uncontrolled intervention. METHOD: Ten subjects with MS completed assessments
twice before and once after a 10-week balance intervention. ANOVA were used to
evaluate the effects of testing session on the Brief-BESTest, instrumented stance
and gait recordings by inertial motion sensors, lower-limb strength recorded by
force transducers, accelerometry-based activity, the 12-item MS Walking Scale
(MSWS-12), the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) questionnaire,
the Modified Fatigue Impact scale (MFIS) and the Activity-specific Balance
Confidence (ABC) scale. RESULTS: The intervention associated with significantly
improved scores on the MSQOL-54 mental component, MFIS, MSWS-12 and
Brief-BESTest. Sway amplitude significantly decreased and jerk significantly
increased during instrumented standing on foam with eyes closed. Instrumented
gait recordings of sagittal trunk range of motion also significantly decreased.
ABC scores, strength measures and activity measures were not significantly
changed. CONCLUSIONS: Ten weeks of functional balance exercises provided a
feasible intervention for individuals with MS that improved components of
balance, mental well-being and perceived fatigue impact and ambulation
disability. A future randomized, controlled clinical trial should confirm these
preliminary findings. Implications for Rehabilitation A balance-specific exercise
program is both safe and feasible for individuals with mild-to-moderate MS.
Comprehensive exercise interventions that are conceptually driven and employ
well-designed progressive exercise across multiple contexts of balance control
can facilitate improvements in balance impairments associated with MS. Functional
balance exercises can positively impact clinical and objective measures of
balance control and favorably influence perceptions of ambulation disability and
fatigue as well as perceived quality of life in people with MS.

Langue : ANGLAIS