The effect of exercises rehabilitation program in stable and unstable surfaces on balance and muscles strength of the lower limbs in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ten-week exercises rehabilitation in stable and unstable surfaces on balance and muscles strength of the lower extremity in women with multiple sclerosis.
In this quasi-experimental study, thirty patients were divided randomly into two exercise groups. Training program for groups was carried out in ten weeks, three times per week and each session one hour. Muscles strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer. One-legged standing and timed get up and go tests were used to assess static and dynamic balance, respectively. The data were analyzed using analysis of ANOVA with repeated measures and independent and dependent t-test.
The results showed that there was a significant increase for all diameters of measuring in both exercise groups. Exercise group in unstable surface showed significantly larger improvement in muscles strength and static and dynamic balance compered to exercise group in stable surface.
Generally, it can be stated that exercise in stable and unstable surfaces will result in considerable improvements in muscles strength and balance in patients with multiple sclerosis. Thus, the respective specialists can use these exercise as a complementary treatment along with the drug therapy for patients with multiple sclerosis.