Improvement of postural control in individuals with multiple sclerosis after a single-session of ball throwing exercise.

BACKGROUND: Deficit in balance control is a common and often an initial disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the role of short-term training in improvement of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and its effect on subsequent control of posture in individuals with MS.

METHODS: A pre-post feasibility study involved eight individuals with relapsing-remitting MS who participated in the laboratory tests before and after a single training session consisting of throwing a medicine ball. The outcome measures including electromyographic activity of trunk and leg muscles and center of pressure displacements were recorded and analyzed during the anticipatory and compensatory phases of postural control.

RESULTS: The training resulted in enhancement of the generation of APAs seen as significantly earlier onset of leg and trunk muscle activity prior to the bilateral arm flexion task (p < 0.05). Significantly early activation of postural muscles was also observed prior to the predictable external perturbation, the task that was not a part of training, indicating the transfer of the effect of the single training session. Postural control during the balance restoration phase was improved after training (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The observed training-related improvements of balance control suggest that focused rehabilitation could be effective in improving postural control. Consequentially, this could enhance mobility and quality of life in the individuals with MS.