Two Different Types of High-Frequency Physical Therapy Promote Improvements in the Balance and Mobility of Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Brenda L. Davies, David J. Arpin, Min Liu, Heidi Reelfs, Kathleen G. Volkman, Kathleen Healey, Rana Zabad, Max J. Kurz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the mobility and postural balance improvements that could be achieved in a cohort of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who participated in a motor adaptation protocol and a cohort of persons with MS who participated in a therapeutic exercise protocol. Design A cohort design, where subjects were evaluated before and after a 6-week intervention period. Setting Clinical laboratory setting. Participants Individuals (N=42) with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] scores, 3.0–6.5) were initially screened for eligibility for participation in the study, from which those who fit the inclusion criteria (n=32) were enrolled in the study. Subjects were pseudorandomly assigned to a treatment group and matched based on EDSS scores. Fourteen individuals in the motor adaptation cohort (MAC) (mean age ± SD, 52.6±9y; mean EDSS score ± SD, 5.5±0.9) and 13 individuals in the therapeutic exercise cohort (TEC) (mean age ± SD, 54.0±9y; mean EDSS score ± SD, 5.3±0.9) completed the entire duration of their respective programs. Interventions Both cohorts completed their therapy twice a day, 5 days each week, for 6 weeks. Each session of the MAC program consisted of balance and gait training that encouraged new ways to adapt to challenging task demands. The TEC program was similar to a traditional exercise program. Main Outcome Measures The Sensory Organization Test, 6-minute walk test, and gait spatiotemporal kinematics. Results Collectively, both treatment groups had improvements in postural balance (P=.001), walking endurance (P=.002), walking speed (P=.004), and step length (P<.001) after therapy. However, there were no statistical differences between the 2 treatment groups for any of the outcome variables (P values >.01). Conclusions Our exploratory results suggest that a high frequency of physical therapy rather than a specific activity focus might be an important parameter for persons with MS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2095-2101.e3
JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume97
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2016

Keywords

  • Exercise
  • Gait
  • Posture
  • Rehabilitation
  • Walking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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