Effect of Isometric Exercises on Ability and Balance of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Objectives: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and disabling disease of the nervous system. This study was conducted to determine the effect of isometric exercises on balance and ability in the patients with MS.&nbsp; Methods: Sixty MS patients participated in this randomized controlled trial study and patients were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups. Treatment group participated in an isometric exercise program for 8 weeks and the control group followed routine treatment program. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to measure disability and balance status, respectively, on days 1, 28, and 56 post treatment. Results: No significant difference was observed in the mean scores of EDSS and BSS between the control and treatment groups on day 1 post treatment. Mean scores of EDSS and BSS significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in the treatment group compared with the control group on day 56 post treatment (P<0.01). Repeated measures test in the treatment group showed there was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of EDSS and BSS on day 1 compared with that on days 28 and 56 post treatment (P<0.001), while in control group there was no significant difference between the mean scores of EDSS and BSS. Discussion: Isometric exercise programs improved balance and reduced the severe disability in MS patients and recommended as a complementary treatment program for MS patients.&nbsp;