The effect of six weeks’ massage in water on walking speed, postural control, pain intensity, fatigue and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis

Nowadays, multiple sclerosis disorder has been increased. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of massage in water on walking speed, postural control, pain intensity, fatigue and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis in Khomeini city.

In this study, a trial was performed in which 30 patients with multiple sclerosis (EDSS 2-5) were randomly selected and randomly assigned to two blind groups of 15 patients. The massage group was in water (mean age 39.60 ± 8.33, 160 ± 6.04 cm and body weight 26.59 ± 3.74 cm2 and control group 36 ± 6.56 years, Height 158.86±2.92 cm, and body mass 26.95 ± 2.33 kg/m2). The experimental group performed a massage therapy program in water  for six weeks, three sessions per week and the duration of 20 minutes for lower extremities (thighs, knees, legs, wrists and feet), the control group performed the natural activities of daily living, before and after the training, speed of walking with rocket test, static and dynamic equilibrium Arranged by a modified stamina and Y test, pain intensity by visual acuity scale, Fatigue was assessed by MFIS questionnaire and quality of life by SF scale of 36 The data were refined using descriptive statistics. Measurement of the nature of the data was performed by Shapiro-Wilk test and data analysis was used to compare the independent t-test. Also, SPSS version 25 was used. The significance level was considered as (p<0.05).

The results of the study showed that six weeks of massage in water had a significant effect on walking speed, postural control (static and dynamic balance), pain intensity, fatigue and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis (p<0.05).

Based on this study, it can be concluded that water massage could be effective for people with multiple sclerosis. Therefore, massage therapists are to be advised to use these rehab techniques to improve walking speed, postural control (static and dynamic balance), pain intensity, fatigue, and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis.