The comparison of the effect of eight-weeks aquatic aerobic exercise and balance training on physical disability and mental health in female patients with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common central nervous system disease that results in many symptoms such as fatigue, physical disability, etc. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of eight-weeks aquatic aerobic exercise and balance training on physical disability and mental health in female patients with MS. In this practical and semi- experimental research, forty five women having MS with degree of physical disability 1 to 4, disease duration 12 to 48 months and aged 20 to 45 years who went to Dezfoul MS Society were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n=15 in each group), Aquatic aerobic exercise, balance training and control. Both experimental did their exercises three times weekly each session 40 to 50 minutes for 8 weeks. Subjects filled out the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale and Goldberg and Hiller General Health Questioner before and after 8 weeks. The data were analyzed with t-test, one-way and multivariate analysis of variance and Tukey test. Results indicates that in both aquatic aerobic exercise and balance training groups, physical disability significant decreases and mental health significant increases and was not significant difference in both experimental group. the findings of this study suggest that methods, aquatic aerobic and balance training are significantly effective in decreasing physical disability and increasing mental health in MS female patients.