The Effect of Proprioceptive Training on Balance, Fatigue, and Quality of Life of Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system that affects the motor and sensory systems to control balance while standing and walking. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of proprioceptive training on balance, fatigue, and quality of life of women with MS.

The statistical population of this research included 20- to 50-year-old women with MS and a total score of 1 to 4 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) that are members of the Isfahan MS Association. From this population, 30 volunteers were selected conveniently and assigned to experimental and control groups. Participants of both groups completed the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) tests before starting the training program. The experimental group performed 60-minute proprioceptive training for eight weeks and three sessions a week, and the control group performed their daily activities during this period. After 8 weeks of training, both experimental and control groups repeated the previous tests. The data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests at the significant level of 0.05.

The results showed that there was a significant difference in balance, fatigue, and quality of life of the experimental group in the post-test compared with the pre-test (P<0.05). Also, the comparison of the post-test results of the two experimental and control groups showed a significant difference in the balance and quality of life of MS patients (P<0.05).

Overall, eight weeks of proprioceptive training improved the balance and quality of life of MS patients, but it was not effective in reducing their fatigue. Therefore, the use of proprioceptive training is recommended for the well-being of MS patients.