The Effect of Aerobic Training with and without Blood Flow Restriction on the Length and Balance of Women with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Background & aim: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease which damages the central nervous system. Disruption of walking is one of the characteristics of multiple sclerosis. Currently, exercise training is known as an effective tool in the rehabilitation of multiple sclerosis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect(s) of aerobic training with/without blood flow restriction on the length and balance of women with multiple sclerosis.   Methods: In a Quasi-experimental study, a pre and post-test design, 24 volunteers with disability degree between 4-1 (height: 159.5 ± 7.27 cm, weight: 61.54 ± 8.58 kg, age: 37.08 ± 8.23 ​​years) were randomly divided into two equal groups: aerobic training without blood flow restriction and blood flow restriction (BFR) aerobic training group. Both groups were ridden for 6 weeks and 3 sessions per week on a bicycle (3 times 6 minutes with 1 minute rest between turns and HR60 6560 percent).  To limitation of  the blood flow a cuff was used on the upper part of the foot with a pressure of 96 ± 10 mmHg. In order to measure step length and balance, the camera and leaf balance scale were used respectively. Data were analyzed using covariance and Bonferroni post hoc.   Results: The results indicated that both types of exercises significantly increased the left foot stroke length (p <0.05) and balance (p <0.05) in patients with multiple sclerosis, but a significant decreased was seen on the right foot stroke (P <0.05) . Also, there was no significant difference between the effect of two types of exercises on the length of left and right foot steps and the balance.   Conclusion: It seems both types of aerobic training, with and without blood flow limitation, improve the balance in patients with multiple sclerosis, but their effect on the length of the step needs to be further investigated.