A comparative study of the effects of yoga and clinical Pilates training on walking, cognition, respiratory functions, and quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis: A quasi-experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to investigate the effects of yoga and clinical Pilates training on walking, respiratory muscle strength, cognition, and quality of life and compare the effects of two popular exercise methods in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). METHODS: Twenty-eight pwMS (Pilates group = 16, yoga group = 12) received the program once a week for eight weeks in addition to home exercises. At baseline and the end of the training, participants underwent assessments. The outcome measures were walking speed, mobility, balance confidence, respiratory muscle strength, cognition, and quality of life. RESULTS: Following the program, there was no significant difference in mobility (p = 0.482), perceived walking quality (p = 0.325), respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory pressure: p = 0.263, maximum expiratory pressure: p = 0.866), and cognition (Symbol Digit Modalities Test: p = 0.324, California Verbal Learning Test-II: p = 0.514, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised: p = 0.279) between the two groups. Improvements were higher in balance confidence (p = 0.006), walking speed (p = 0.004), and quality of life (p = 0.019) in the clinical Pilates group compared to the yoga group. CONCLUSION: This study showed positive effects in walking and respiratory aspects in pwMS who received yoga and clinical Pilates training. Pilates training was superior in improving walking speed, quality of life, and balance confidence compared to yoga training.

The effects of Clinical Pilates training on walking, balance, fall risk, respiratory, and cognitive functions in persons with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive and neurodegenerative disease. Exercise programs are needed to maintain and increase functional status in persons with MS (pwMS). Pilates exercises designed by a physiotherapist can enhance participation and functionality in pwMS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Clinical Pilates training on balance, walking, fall risk, respiratory, and cognitive functions in pwMS compared with an active comparator (home exercise training). DESIGN: This study was a randomized controlled study. SETTINGS: This study was designed by researchers at Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two pwMS were included in this randomized controlled trial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Walking, core stability, balance confidence, respiratory muscle strength, and cognitive functions were assessed before and after the program. INTERVENTIONS: The participants were randomly divided into two groups. The Pilates exercises group (n = 21) received therapy weekly for 8 weeks along with a home exercise program. The home exercise group (n = 21) was given standardized exercises reflecting routine clinical practice. The program compliance was monitored by telephone calls once a week. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in walking speed (p = 0.096), perceived walking ability (p = 0.165), and fear of falling (p = 0.385) between the Pilates and home exercise groups. Clinical Pilates training was superior to the home exercise program in walking endurance (p = 0.001), postural stability (p = 0.028), core stability (p = 0.016), respiratory (maximum inspiratory pressure: p = 0.037, maximum expiratory pressure: p = 0.008), and cognitive functions (p = 0.001-0.007). Clinical Pilates training may be preferred as an alternative method to improve balance, walking, respiratory, and cognitive functions in pwMS.

Feasibility of a 6-Month Yoga Program to Improve the Physical and Psychosocial Status of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis and their Family Members.

CONTEXT: To the best of our knowledge, there has been no study on yoga that includes both persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their family members. Because yoga has therapeutic effects in both persons with MS and healthy persons, we hypothesized that it would be an effective method to improve not only the physical and psychosocial status but also the time persons with MS and their family members spend together. OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of a 6-month (long-term) yoga program to improve the physical and psychosocial status of persons with MS and their family members. DESIGN: Uncontrolled clinical trial. SETTING: The protocol was developed at the Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, and School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: Persons with MS and healthy family members. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Walking, balance, fatigue, health-related quality of life, depression, pain, and kinesiophobia. INTERVENTIONS: Yoga training was given once a week (at least 1h) for 6 months. The same assessors who assessed at baseline also performed the same assessments immediately after the end of the training (i.e., after 6 months). RESULTS: In total, 44 participants (27 persons with MS and 17 healthy family members) participated in the study. Twelve persons with MS and three healthy family members completed the 6-month yoga intervention. The completion rate for persons with MS and healthy subjects was 44.4% and 17.6%, respectively. In persons with MS, the mental dimension of health-related quality of life, walking speed, fatigue, and depression levels significantly improved after the yoga program (p < .05). However, there was no significant change in the self-reported walking impact, balance, pain, physical dimension of health-related quality of life, and kinesiophobia levels in the persons with MS (p > .05). This study suggests that a 6-month yoga program can improve the mental dimension of health-related quality of life, walking speed, fatigue, and depression in the persons with MS. However, the 6-month yoga program does not appear to be a feasible method to increase the time that persons with MS spend together with their family members.