مجله پژوهش در علوم توانبخشی
سال دهم شماره 7 (فروردین و اردیبهشت 1393)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system which result in. It causes demyelination of nerve axons, which can lead to lack of normal action potentials as the central nervous system (CNS) attempts to communicate with the body, and vice versa. The purpose of this study The effects of 6-weeks balance training on balance and walking speed in subjects with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). 30 subjects with mild to moderate disability, by Kurtzke scale (Expanded Disability Statues Scale), Participated in this study and randomized into experimental (N=15) and control group(N=15) after being assessed with Berg balance Scale. "Timed Walk" test was used to assess walking speed. Experimental group involved in balance training 3days a week and control group continued their activity, both groups were tested by walking speed and balance. The results were analyzed by t-test. Level of significant was 0.05. Result of this study Show that balance training has a positive effect balance and walking speed in people with multiple sclerosis. The results revealed a significant difference between control and experimental gropes in balance test (t = 3/23, P<0/05) and walking speed test (t= -4/44, P< 0/05) The results indicated that balance training increased walking speed and balance and seemed to be a useful exercise therapy for MS.

Mental imagery is a psychological factor effecting the improvement of motor skills. The present study was aimed to examine the effect of mental imagery and physical exercise on static balance in subjects with Multiple sclerosis (MS). In this quasi experimental study, all male patients with MS (n = 300) in Ahvaz province (n = 300) were recruited. Kinesthetic and visual imagery questionnaire (KVIQ) was distributed among them to select a suitable sample size. In next step, thirty three individuals with the same imagery ability and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) were chosen and randomly and equally classified in three groups of mental imagery-physical exercise(combined) (n = 11), mental imagery (n = 11), and physical exercise (control) (n = 11). Participants carried out the selected training program three times a week (for 6 weeks). After 2-week, retention test was completed in last training session. The modified Romberg balance test (MRBT) was used to assess static balance in pre-test, post-test, and retention-test. Data, then were analyzed by SPSS, version 16. The results showed that, after 18 sessions, there was a significant difference between post-test (P = 0.01) and retention test (P = 0.001) in different groups; and combined group had a better performance in both stages. According to the results, mental imagery could be used as a practical method for better static balance performance in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Gait impairment is common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite many available studies on improvement of gait pattern in patients with multiple sclerosis, rehabilitation treatment protocols are still controversial in the literature.The aim of this study was to evaluate gait pattern characteristics in MS patients with specific clinical symptoms and offer suitable treatment protocols considering previous studies. An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Google scholar and ISI Web of Sciences from 1990 to 2014 using some keywords include physical therapy, multiple sclerosis, walking pattern, gait and rehabilitation. Selected articles were divided into two categories namely, gait characteristics and patterns (n=27) and affective treatment protocols on gait (n=33). Then, modified downs and black tool was used for quality assessment.Among 27 papers in the first category, the score of 25 papers were lower than 19 and the score of 2 papers were equal to 19. From 33 papers in second category, the score of 21 papers were lower than 19 and the score of 12 papers were equal and higher than 19. Articles with the score of equal and higher than 19 have high methodological quality. Spastic and cerebellar ataxia gait pattern have been seen in patients with multiple sclerosis. Considering the clinical symptoms and the gait patterns in a properly designed rehabilitation program is needed. The reported results of this studysuggest the application ofStretch-based relaxationtrainingin rehabilitation program of spastic gait pattern among MS patients. Moreover, balance and strength training may necessary in training program of MS people with cerebellar ataxia gait pattern.

with some signs such as communication problems in social interaction, cognitive functioning, and Sensorimotor functions. Many interventions are used for children diagnosed with autism that one of these interventions is the use of animal therapy, including horseback riding therapy. Based on previous studies autistic children prefer to communicate with animals so this study was aimed to examine published articles on the use of this therapy in children with autistic disorder. Initially, we determined keywords similar to horseback riding that were used in literatures through the Mesh database and then it was began to search using selected keywords in the literatures published from 2000 to 2013 in SCOPUS, ProQuest, Google Scholer, and Pubmed database. With regard to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 articles were selected. The findings of this study could be categorized in some different groups. Articles had investigated the effect of this therapy on the improvement in communication, socialization, self-esteem, positive behavior, respect, accountability, cognitive areas, increase strength, balance and flexibility, and also improvement the gross motor, growth performance, and finally reduce the autism severe symptoms. Results showed that different studies reported beneficial effects of this treatment in children with autism. It seems that further researches should be carried out to propose a specific treatment protocol for children with autism.

More than 2.5 million people around the world and about 60,000 Iranians suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS). MS usually starts during productivity years of life (2nd and 3rd decades). Although employment is one of the main areas of activity for adults and, people with MS lose their jobs very quickly. After diagnosis, about two third of people with MS lose their jobs. Several studies have been completed on factors influencing employment of people with MS but they haven’t considered all aspects related-factors and have a general conclusion on their results is necessary for designing clinical interventions.Web of knowledge, Web of science, Google scholar, Medline, Science direct, EBSCO, SIDS, Magiran, and Medlib were searched to find both qualitative and quantitative articles (published between 1984 and 2013) in English and Farsi related to factors influencing employment of people with MS. Finally 23 articles met inclusion criteria.The factors were categorized in 4 groups: demographic, disease related, personal and environmental factors. Fatigue, cognitive and physical disabilities were known as the most important factors for employment loss. In addition to disability level, disease-related factors and demographic characteristics; the role of environmental, social and cultural factors is significant in MS employment. Hence further studies are required to identify MS employment loss in different socio-cultural conditions in order to choose expeditious interventions and vocational rehabilitation programs