Effects on Balance and Walking with the CoDuSe Balance Exercise Program in People with Multiple Sclerosis : A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

• Background: Balance and walking impairments are frequent in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).Objective: The aim was to investigate the effects of a group-based balance exercise program targeting core stability, dual tasking, and sensory strategies (CoDuSe) on balance, postural sway, walking, perceived walking limitations, and balance confidence.Design: A single-blinded randomized multicenter trial. No intervention was given to controls. Participants. People with MS able to walk 100 meters but unable to maintain tandem stance >= 30 seconds. Eighty-seven participants were randomized to intervention or control.Intervention: The 60-minute CoDuSe group program, twice weekly for seven weeks, supervised by physical therapists.Measurements: Primary outcome was dynamic balance (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)). Secondary outcomes were postural sway, walking (Timed-Up and Go test; Functional Gait Assessment (FGA)), MS Walking Scale, and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Assessments were performed before and after (week 8) the intervention.Results: 73 participants fulfilled the study. There were significant differences between the intervention and the control groups in change in the BBS and in the secondary measures: postural sway with eyes open, FGA, MS Walking Scale, and ABC scale in favor of the intervention.Conclusions: The seven-week CoDuSe program improved dynamic balance more than no intervention.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Neurology

Neurologi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)