Comparing the Effectiveness of Isotonic and Isometric Exercises on Balance and Ability in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Aims: Active and progressive resistance training has a key role in functional recovery and quality of life in patients with MS. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of isotonic and isometric exercises on balance and ability in patients with MS. Materials & Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 60 patients with MS admitted to MS Special Diseases Center in Yasuj during 2016-2018 were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly divided into two equal groups of isotonic and isometric exercise. The expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to measure the disability and balance status. Each exercise was performed 3 days per week for 8 weeks. Both groups were evaluated before intervention and on days 28 and 56 of treatment. Findings: 28 and 56 days after treatment, the mean scores of BBS increased, and the mean scores of EDSS decreased in both groups; such that the increase in the BBS score was significant on day 56 after treatment compared to the pretest in the isometric group (p<0.05). Also, the mean scores of EDSS decreased significantly on day 56 after treatment (p<0.05) compared to the pretest in the isotonic group and on days 28 (p<0.05) and 56 (p<0.01) after treatment compared to the pretest in the isometric group. Conclusion: Eight weeks of isotonic and isometric exercise are an effective treatment for MS patients without any advantage of one type of exercise over another.