Niloufar Emamian; Ali Shafizadeh; Masoud Etemadifar
Abstract
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system that affects the motor and sensory systems to control balance while standing and walking. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of proprioceptive ...
Read More
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system that affects the motor and sensory systems to control balance while standing and walking. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of proprioceptive training on balance, fatigue, and quality of life of women with MS.Methods: The statistical population of this research included 20- to 50-year-old women with MS and a total score of 1 to 4 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) that are members of the Isfahan MS Association. From this population, 30 volunteers were selected conveniently and assigned to experimental and control groups. Participants of both groups completed the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) tests before starting the training program. The experimental group performed 60-minute proprioceptive training for eight weeks and three sessions a week, and the control group performed their daily activities during this period. After 8 weeks of training, both experimental and control groups repeated the previous tests. The data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests at the significant level of 0.05.Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in balance, fatigue, and quality of life of the experimental group in the post-test compared with the pre-test (P<0.05). Also, the comparison of the post-test results of the two experimental and control groups showed a significant difference in the balance and quality of life of MS patients (P<0.05).Conclusion: Overall, eight weeks of proprioceptive training improved the balance and quality of life of MS patients, but it was not effective in reducing their fatigue. Therefore, the use of proprioceptive training is recommended for the well-being of MS patients.
Masoud Zahiry; Shahrzad Tahmasebi Borujeni; Mehdi Aghapour; Nastaran Majdi Nasab
Abstract
Challenge point framework is a theoretical framework to understand the effects of exercise variables in motor learning. According to this framework, contextual interference and knowledge of results (KR) feedback have a close relationship with the skill level and task difficulty. So, the aim of ...
Read More
Challenge point framework is a theoretical framework to understand the effects of exercise variables in motor learning. According to this framework, contextual interference and knowledge of results (KR) feedback have a close relationship with the skill level and task difficulty. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercises based on challenge point framework on postural control in patients with multiple sclerosis. The postural control of 22 MS patients (age range 20 - 65 years) from patients of Ahvaz MS Association who were randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups was measured by the force platform. Subjects in the experimental group performed exercise for 12 sessions, 3 sessions per week and 45 minutes each session. The control group did not receive any interventions. The data were analyzed by mixed analysis of variance and analysis of variance with repeated measures (P≥0.05). The findings showed that the postural control of experimental group significantly improved compared with the control group as a result of four weeks of exercise protocol. Also, postural control of the experimental group significantly developed in the posttest compared with the pretest. So this study supported challenge point framework and instructors and practitioners can use this protocol for effective clinical interventions to improve balance and postural sways in MS patients.
Mehrzad Kharestani; Mahdi Zarghami; Parvaneh Shafiniya
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mental imagery and physical practice on dynamic balance in male patients with multiple sclerosis. This study was semi-experimental and the statistical population included male patients with multiple sclerosis in Ahvaz city in 2012 (N=300). For sampling, ...
Read More
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mental imagery and physical practice on dynamic balance in male patients with multiple sclerosis. This study was semi-experimental and the statistical population included male patients with multiple sclerosis in Ahvaz city in 2012 (N=300). For sampling, Visual and Kinesthetic Imagery Questionnaire and EDSS scale were used. Finally, 33 patients with similar ability of imagery and moderate disorder in EDSS Scale were selected and randomly assigned to 3 groups: mental imagery-physical practice (n=11), mental imagery (n=11) and physical practice (as control group, n=11). The TUG test was used to assess dynamic balance in the pretest, posttest and retention test. The training protocol consisted of 3 sessions a week for 6 weeks. Posttest was performed 2 weeks after the last session of the training protocol. After investigating the data normality and variance equality, data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures, one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test. The results indicated a significant difference in posttest (P=0.02) and retention (P=0.003) phases among the groups, and combined group had a better performance than the other groups during both phases. According to these results, mental imagery can be used as a practical method for the better performance of dynamic balance in patients with multiple sclerosis.