Changes in Postural Control after Aquatic Exercises Program in Ataxic Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

The aim of this study is to change one of the primary impairments associated with multiple sclerosis, i.e. ataxia, in which there is insufficient postural control.
The current randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of aquatic exercise on postural control in MS ataxic patients. Thirty-two patients with multiple sclerosis with a degree of ataxia indications were selected and divided into two groups: exercise group (n=17, age, 39.12 ± 8.54) and control group (n=15, age, 33.4±15.16). The exercise group performed the exercise for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week with 55% to 75% of maximum heart rate. Posture control by the force platform was measured before and after 24 sessions of aquatic exercises. Measurements of the center of pressure displacement included the anterior posterior, medial-lateral directions, and sway velocity.
Comparing the pre-test whit the post-test,significant differences in patients’ posture control (P = .001) was seen. There was no significant differences between the pre-test and the post-test in the control group, except for AP direction (P = .012).
The findings suggest that postural control in ataxic patients with multiple sclerosis can be affected by aquatic exercises. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these encouraging preliminary results; clinicians are recommended to consider aquatic exercises as a viable rehabilitation program for multiple sclerosis patients.