Comparison of two therapeutic exercises methods on muscle strength, joint's range of motion, aerobic power and balance in women with multiple sclerosis

The purpose of this study was to compare two therapeutic exercise methods on muscle strength, range of motion of joints, aerobic power and balance in women with multiple sclerosis.
In this quasi-experimental study, 3 female volunteers participated in three groups (n=10), aerobic resistance group (age 34±5/12, expanded disability status scale 3/90±1/55), equilibrium aerobic resistance group (age33/80± 5/86, expanded disability status scale 3/80±1/37) and control group (age 33/40± 5/66, expanded disability status scale 3/95±1/46). Experimental groups participated for 8 weeks training program, consist of 24 training exercise sessions for 70 minutes, while control group has not any exercise program. Muscle strength, joint range of motion, aerobic power and balance of patients measured in each group before and after training period. Paired t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analysis of findings in α≤0/05.
Compared to the pre-test, aerobic-resistance training has increased the strength of the muscles in the front (p = 0.05) and back (p = 0.00) of the thigh, and the number of sitting and standing (p = 0.01) and aerobic-resistance equilibrium training significantly increased the range of motion of knee (p = 0.04) and hip (p = 0.05) joints. But there was no significant difference between the two exercise training method (p>0.05).
It seems that aerobic-resistance training and aerobic-resistance equilibrium training have similar effects on improving muscle strength and range of motion in patients with multiple sclerosis.