Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare effects of contralateral strength training (CST) and direct
strength training of the more affected ankle dorsiflexors on muscle performance
and clinical functional outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis (MS)
exhibiting interlimb strength asymmetry. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with relapsing-remitting
MS (N=30) and mild-to-moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score
</=6) presenting with ankle dorsiflexors' strength disparity. INTERVENTIONS:
Participants were randomly assigned to a CST (n=15) or direct strength training
(n=15) group performing 6 weeks of maximal intensity strength training of the
less or more affected dorsiflexors, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximal
strength, endurance to fatigue, and mobility outcomes were assessed before, at
the intervention end, and at 12-week follow-up. Strength and fatigue parameters
were measured after 3 weeks of training (midintervention). RESULTS: In the more
affected limb of both groups, pre- to postintervention significant increases in
maximal strength (P</=.006) and fatigue endurance (P</=.04) were detected along
with consistent retention of these improvements at follow-up (P</=.04). At
midintervention, the direct strength training group showed significant
improvements (P</=.002), with no further increase at postintervention, despite
training continuation. Conversely, the CST group showed nonsignificant strength
gains, increasing to significance at postintervention (P</=.003). In both groups,
significant pre- to postintervention improvements in mobility outcomes (P</=.03),
not retained at follow-up, were observed. CONCLUSIONS: After 6 weeks of training,
CST proved as effective as direct strength training in enhancing performance of
the more affected limb with a different time course, which may have practical
implications in management of severely weakened limbs where direct strength
training is not initially possible.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS