Effect of 12-Week Pilates and Aquatic Training on Fatigue in Women with Multiple Sclerosis

Background and Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and debilitating disease in which the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is destroyed. The most common complications of this disease are fatigue, cramps, tremor, diplopia, and unsteadiness of gait. This study investigated the effects of 12-week Pilates and aquatic training on fatigue in women suffering from MS. This quasi-experimental study included 57 female patients attending Kashani MS clinic. The subjects (with MS 0 4/5; 8±2 years disease; 20-40 years old) were randomly assigned into Pilates, aquatic training and control group. Training program for Pilates and aquatic groups was carried out for 12 weeks (three sessions of one hour per week). Patient's level of fatigue was measured using a fatigue questionnaire, before and after the exercise. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance and paired comparisons of adjusted averages in SPSS V.18. The results showed significant differences in the adjusted mean of fatigue scores in the experimental groups (P<0.05). Pilates exercise interventions and aquatic training significantly decreased the level of fatigue in the experimental groups. Pilates and aquatic training reduced fatigue in patients with MS. Therefore, such exercises could be used as a complementary treatment alongside medications for MS patients.