Effect of a 6-Wk Sensory-Motor Exercise Program on the Balance and Fatigue Severity in Women With Multiple Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of 6 wks of at-home sensory-motor exercises on balance and fatigue levels in women with multiple sclerosis, a progressive autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis symptoms can significantly reduce quality of life.

DESIGN: In this quasi-experimental study, 26 female patients with multiple sclerosis aged 20-40 yrs with an expanded disability status scale of 0-4 were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The experimental group performed sensory-motor exercises for 6 wks, three sessions a week, and for 1 hr at home. Balance and fatigue were evaluated with Sharpened-Romberg tests (for static balance), a 6-step test of Get-Up and Go (for dynamic balance), and a Fatigue Severity Scale. At the end of the sixth week, these tests were re-evaluated like the pretest stage.

RESULTS: Experimental group showed better static balance and Fatigue Severity Scale than control group, but no difference in dynamic balance.

CONCLUSIONS: Considering the outbreak of COVID-19 and the resultant lockdown, the importance of exercise and physical activities in patients with multiple sclerosis, and the positive effects of sensory-motor exercises at home in the present study, these kinds of sensory-motor workouts are highly recommended to improve balance and reduce the fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis.