Article

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of group exercise training on balance,
functional status, spasticity, fatigue and quality of life in patients with
multiple sclerosis. Design:
A randomized single-blind controlled study. Setting:
University hospital, outpatient physical therapy department. Subjects: Ambulatory
patients with multiple sclerosis. Interventions: Exercise group completed a
12-week group exercise programme under the physical therapists' supervision.
Control group was included in the waiting list. Main measures: The primary
outcome measures were the Berg Balance Scale, 10-metre walk test, 10-steps
climbing test and secondary outcome measures were the Modified Ashworth Scale,
Fatigue Severity Scale and Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life.
Results: Ninety-nine patients completed the study. There were statistically
significant improvements for all outcome measures in the group exercise group (n
= 51) (p < 0.01). In the control group (n = 48), there were statistically
significant negative change in the Berg Balance Scale and 10-metre walk test
measures (p = 0.002, p = 0.001) and statistically significant increment only in
the Fatigue Severity Scale score (p = 0.002). The Berg Balance Scale score was
increased 4.33 in the exercise group, while a decreased of 2.33 in control group.
The 10-metre walk test duration (second) was decreased 2.72 in exercise group,
while increased 1.44 in control group. In comparing inter-groups changes, both
primary and secondary outcome mesures showed significant improvements in favour
of the exercise group after the training (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study
demonstrated that supervised group exercise training is effective in improving
balance, functional status, spasticity, fatigue and quality of life in moderately
affected people with multiple sclerosis, with no worsening of their clinical status.

Langue : ANGLAIS