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

      Purpose: 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. Materials and Methods: 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. Results: 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). Conclusion: 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.