Article

OBJECTIVES: To investigate falls prevalence, factors associated with falling, and
the effects of balance and strengthening interventions on falls in persons with
multiple sclerosis (MS).
DESIGN: Baseline and posttreatment data from a
randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: People with MS
(N=111) who use bilateral support for gait. INTERVENTIONS: Group and one-on-one physiotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Falls prevalence was assessed using
retrospective recall. Demographic information was collected, impairments of body
function were assessed, and results from the Berg Balance Scale, 6-minute walk
test (6MWT), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 version 2 physical and
psychological scores, and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) were obtained.
RESULTS: The prevalence of falls in a 3-month period was 50.5% among participants
with MS, of whom 28% had more than 1 fall. Fallers had a greater physical (mean
difference, -3.9; P=.048) and psychological (median difference, -4.5; P=.001)
impact of MS and a greater impact of fatigue (mean difference, -9.4; P=.002). A
logistic regression analysis found that the MFIS score made a unique, significant
contribution to the model (odds ratio=1.04; 95% confidence interval,
1.018-1.079), correctly identifying 68% of fallers. A 10-week group physiotherapy
intervention significantly reduced both the number of fallers (58.3% before to
22.9% after intervention, P=.005) and the number of falls (63 before to 25 after
intervention, P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of falls is high in this
population of persons with MS, and the impact of MS and of fatigue is greater in
fallers. Development and evaluation of interventions to reduce falls risk and the
transition to faller or multiple faller status are required.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS