Article

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of different exercise protocols on ataxia in
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHOD: A total of 42 MS patients, 17 male
and 25 female (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS):
3-5), were enrolled in
this randomized controlled study. The patients were divided into three groups: a
balance training (BT) group, a lumbar stabilization (LS) group and a
task-oriented training (TT) group. All groups received balance training;
additionally, the LS group received lumbar stabilization exercises, and the TT
group received task-oriented training. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS),
International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), Functional Reach Test
(FRT), 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT), Sensory Organization Test (SOT), and
measurement of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEPs) were performed before and
at the end of the 18 training sessions. RESULTS: The BBS, ICARS, FRT, 2MWT, and
composite balance score of the SOT were improved in all groups. The ICARS kinetic
function sub-score and the left limb cortical onset amplitudes of SSEPs were
increased significantly in both the TT and the LS groups. The ICARS total score,
composite balance score, and 2MWT were different between groups (p < 0.05).
According to multiple comparison analyses of the ICARS total score and the
composite balance score, the LS, and the TT group were different from the BT
group (p < 0.005), while the LS and the TT groups improved similarly (p > 0.005).
The 2MWT results were better for the LS group than the BT group, while the BT and
the TT groups improved similarly. CONCLUSION: Balance training alone is not
sufficient for rehabilitation of ataxic MS patients. A combination of lumbar
stabilization exercises or task-oriented training increases the success of
balance rehabilitation. Implications for rehabilitation Multiple sclerosis is a
chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease of central nervous system and ataxia
is one of the most challenging symptoms of this disease. Different exercise
modalities are commonly employed to control ataxic symptoms in MS patients.
Lumbar stabilization exercises or task-oriented training should be considered as
complementary approach to improve balance and coordination in ataxic multiple
sclerosis patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS