Effects of Virtual Reality vs Conventional Balance Training on Balance and Falls in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of virtual reality (VR)-based vs conventional balance training on the improvement of balance and reduction of falls in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). DESIGN: Single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. PARTICIPANTS: PwMS (N=39), randomized into VR (n=19) and control (n=20) groups. INTERVENTION: The VR group performed exergames using Kinect, while the control group accomplished conventional balance exercises. Both groups received 18 training sessions for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Limits of stability, timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and 10-m walk tests with and without cognitive task and their dual-task costs (DTCs), Berg Balance Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12, Fall Efficacy Scale-International, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, and fall history were obtained pre- and post intervention and after a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: At both post intervention and follow-up, TUGcognitive and DTCs on the TUG were significantly lower and the 10-m walkcognitive was significantly higher in the VR group. At follow-up, reaction time and the number of falls demonstrated significant differences favoring the VR group, whereas the directional control revealed significant difference in favor of the control group (P<.05). The other outcomes showed no statistically significant difference at post intervention or follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Both the VR-based and conventional balance exercises improved balance and mobility in PwMS, while each acted better in improving certain aspects. VR-based training was more efficacious in enhancing cognitive-motor function and reducing falls, whereas conventional exercises led to better directional control. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of recruiting VR-based exercises in clinical settings.

Effectiveness of telerehabilitation intervention to improve pain and physical function in people with patellofemoral pain syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal condition in young and active adults. Exercise therapy is an essential part of rehabilitation in people with PFPS (PwPFPS). Telerehabilitation is an innovative treatment approach that has been used in several musculoskeletal conditions. This study aims to investigate the non-inferiority of telerehabilitation through a smartphone application, the Vito App, compared to face-to-face physical therapy on reducing pain and improving physical function, quality of life, and psychological factors. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial will include 60 PwPFPS. to a control group (face-to-face physical therapy) or an experimental group (telerehabilitation). The intervention for both groups consists of stretching, strengthening, balance, and functional exercises for 6 weeks and three sessions per week. The primary outcomes are pain intensity by visual analog scale (VAS), physical function by the Kujala questionnaire and functional tests including the bilateral squat, anteromedial lunge, and step down, and quality of life by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire quality of life subscale. Secondary outcomes are psychological factors such as anxiety and depression assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, kinesiophobia assessed with the Tampa scale, and pain catastrophizing assessed with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Assessments will be held in 3 phases: pre-test (before the intervention), post-test (after the 6 weeks of intervention), and follow-up (1 month after the end of the intervention). DISCUSSION: We expect that both the control group and experimental group will show similar improvements in clinical and psychological outcome measures. If our hypothesis becomes true, PwPFPS can use telerehabilitation as a practical treatment approach. Telerehabilitation can also enhance accessibility to rehabilitation services for active adults and for people living in remote and rural areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) IRCT20201112049361N1. Registered on 29 October 2022.

Effects of exergaming on cognition, lower limb functional coordination, and stepping time in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of exergaming versus conventional exercises on cognition, lower-limb functional coordination, and stepping time in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). METHODS: Thirty-six PwMS were randomly assigned to either intervention (n = 18) or control (n = 18) group and received 18 training sessions during six weeks. The intervention group performed exergames that required multidirectional timed-stepping, weight-shifting, and walking while the control group performed conventional matched exercises. Trail making test (TMT part A, B; TMT-A, TMT-B, TMT B-A), six-spot step test (SSST), and choice stepping reaction time (CSRT-including reaction time (RT), movement time (MVT), and total response time (TRT)) were assessed pre- and post-intervention (short-term), and after three-month follow-up (mid-term). RESULTS: The intervention group showed faster TMT-B (p = 0.003) and TMT B-A (p = 0.002) at post-intervention and faster SSST at both post-intervention (p = 0.002) and follow-up (p = 0.04). The CSRT components showed no between-group differences at post-intervention; however, at follow-up, the intervention group had lower TRT (p = 0.046) and MVT (p = 0.015). TMT-A and RT had no significant between-group differences. CONCLUSIONS: In short-term, exergames led to more improvements in complex attention, executive function, and lower-limb functional coordination comparing to the matched conventional exercises. In mid-term, exergaming was more effective for improving stepping time and lower-limb functional coordination. However, the two approaches did not show any superiority over each other for improving simple attention and RT.Implications for rehabilitationWhen designed properly, exergames have great potential to improve attention and executive function of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), at least in the short-term.Exergames seem like an appropriate option for improving lower limb coordination and decreasing choice stepping response time among PwMS in the mid-term.Exergames do not have superiority in improving the choice stepping reaction time compared to their matched conventional treatment.

Perturbation-based Balance Training to improve postural responses and falls in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of Perturbation-based Balance Training (PBT) on postural responses and falls in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and compare the results with conventional balance training (CBT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four PwMS were randomized to receive 4 weeks of PBT or CBT. Latency of postural responses to external perturbations, Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), 10-meter-walk (10MW), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) were measured at baseline and post-training. Also, the proportion of fallers and fall rate were assessed at a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: The latency of postural responses significantly decreased in PBT compared to CBT. TUG, 10MW, BBS, and ABC, at post-training, and relative risk of falls and fall rate at 3-month follow-up had no statistically significant between-group differences. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that PBT is at least as effective as CBT in improving balance and decreasing falls, while it has superiority over CBT whenever the clinicians mainly aim to improve reactive balance strategies. Future studies with a larger sample size are warranted to complement the results of this study.Implication for rehabilitationPerturbation-based Balance Training is at least as effective as conventional balance training (CBT) in improving proactive postural control in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).Perturbation-based Balance Training has superiority over CBT in improving reactive postural control in PwMS.Perturbation-based Balance Training has no superiority over CBT in improving fall-related outcomes.

Responsiveness and clinically meaningful changes for the Persian versions of the multiple sclerosis walking scale-12 and the modified fatigue impact scale following balance and gait rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background and Purpose: The Multiple sclerosis walking scale-12 (MSWS-12) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) are two popular outcome measures applied widely for assessing self-perceived walking ability and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The present study aimed to examine responsiveness and clinically meaningful changes for the Persian versions of the MSWS-12 and the MFIS following balance and gait rehabilitation in PwMS.Methods: Fifty-eight PwMS completed the Persian versions of the MSWS-12 and the MFIS before and after 4 weeks of balance and gait rehabilitation. Also, a 7-point global rating scale as an external criterion of change was completed at the post-intervention evaluation. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and the correlation analysis were used to assess the responsiveness. In addition, the minimally clinically important change (MCIC) was measured to determine clinically meaningful changes following rehabilitation.Results: The AUC values for the Persian MSWS-12 and MFIS were 0.74 and 0.73, respectively. There were good to excellent correlations between the global rating scale of change and the Persian MSWS-12 (Gamma = 0.77) also MFIS (Gamma = 0.80) change scores (p = .001). Moreover, the MCICs of 7.5 and 4 points were obtained for the Persian MSWS-12 and MFIS, respectively.Conclusion: The Persian versions of the MSWS-12 and the MFIS were responsive outcome measures for monitoring changes in walking and fatigue after balance and gait rehabilitation in PwMS. The calculation of MCIC values would enhance the interpretation of changes in clinical and research settings.

Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of Persian version of mini-balance evaluation system test among ambulatory people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (mini-BESTest) is a widely used measure to assess balance impairments. This study aimed to assess the validity, reliability, responsiveness, and minimal clinically important change (MCIC) of the Persian mini-BESTest among ambulatory People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). METHODS: Fifty ambulatory PwMS participated in this study. Persian mini-BESTest validated against Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed-Up and Go (TUG) with/without a cognitive task. To assess the reliability, the Persian mini-BESTest was re-administered for a sample of 30 participants after 1 week. Also, 32 PwMS were tested before and after a 4-week of balance and gait training to assess the responsiveness. RESULTS: No floor/ceiling effect was found for the mini-BESTest total score. There were significant excellent correlations (p < .001) between mini-BESTest and BBS (r = 0.71), TUG (r = -0.76), and cognitive TUG (r = -0.73). No strong correlations were observed between the subscales (r = 0.37-0.55). Test-retest reliability and internal consistency of Persian mini-BESTest total score were excellent, with Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC3,1 and Cronbach's alpha level of 0.89 and 0.80, respectively. The minimal detectable change was 4 points. The Persian mini-BESTest had acceptable responsiveness (AUC = 0.83), and MCIC was 5 points. CONCLUSION: The Persian mini-BESTest is a valid, reliable, and responsive measure of balance performance in Iranian ambulatory PwMS.

Psychometric properties of the Persian-version of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale and Fall Efficacy Scale-International in Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Balance impairment and fear of falling are two common risk factors for falls in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Clinicians should use valid, reliable, and responsive tools to assess these risk factors and identify individuals at increased risk for falls. So, this study aimed to examine psychometric properties of the Persian-version of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale and Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) in Iranian PwMS. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-three PwMS completed the Persian versions of ABC, FES-I, Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in the first session. To assess the test-retest reliability, 50 PwMS filled out ABC, and FES-I in retest session with an interval of 2-7 days. Also, for evaluating responsiveness, 50 PwMS completed ABC and FES-I before and after a 4-week treatment. RESULTS: Intra-class Correlation Coefficients were 0.96 and 0.93 and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.96 and 0.99 for the ABC and FES-I, respectively. There were significant correlations (p < .001) between ABC and BBS (r = 0.55), FES-I and BBS (r = -0.56), ABC and MSWS-12 (r = -0.72), and FES-I and MSWS-12 (r = 0.76). No floor or ceiling effect was found. ABC and FES-I had acceptable responsiveness (AUC > 0.70), and their minimally important difference (MID) were 10.5 and 9.5 points, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Persian-versions of ABC and FES-I are reliable, valid, and responsive measures to quantify balance confidence and fear of falling in PwMS at both clinical and research settings. The MID can help clinicians to make a decision based on the clinical significance of changes in patients' status.