2013/03/29 by Ela Tarakci, Ipek Yeldan, Burcu E Huseyinsinoglu +2
paper · doi:10.1177/0269215513481047
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of group exercise training on balance, functional status, spasticity, fatigue and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis. Design: A randomized single-blind controlled study. Setting: University hospital, outpatient physical therapy department. Subjects: Ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis. Interventions: Exercise group completed a 12-week group exercise programme under the physical therapists’ supervision. Control group was included in the waiting list. Main measures: The primary outcome measures were the Berg Balance Scale, 10-metre walk test, 10-steps climbing test and secondary outcome measures were the Modified Ashworth Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life. Results: Ninety-nine patients completed the study. There were statistically significant improvements for all outcome measures in the group exercise group ( n = 51) ( p Conclusion: The study demonstrated that supervised group exercise training is effective in improving balance, functional status, spasticity, fatigue and quality of life in moderately affected people with multiple sclerosis, with no worsening of their clinical status.