Pilates, Yoga and Tai Chi Exercises' Effect on Balance and Gait in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disease involving inflammation, plaques, and demyelination in the central nervous system . MS typically affects people in early adulthood in the 20-40 year range and is two to three times more common in women than men. Exercise therapy is one of the greatest and most well-researched rehabilitation strategies for multiple sclerosis patients. Exercise therapy includes a variety of exercise methods, including resistance training and endurance training, all of which are suitable for multiple sclerosis patients to use. Exercise can alter a wide range of functional and health-related factors as well as the diversity of symptoms displayed by multiple sclerosis patients.Pilates is a method of physical exercise that focuses on core stability, strength, flexibility, posture, muscle control, breathing, and mind-body connection.Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the philosophy and practice of Yoga. Practicing yoga can provide the tools to help patients with multiple sclerosis cope with the disease and manage everyday tasks in a more beneficial way .Tai Chi is a martial art of Chinese origin that is based on the development of inner energy by practicing predetermined movements softly. It is an intense and complete practice, beneficial at any age. Tai Chi thus falls within a long tradition in Chinese therapies and exercises to improve the individuals' quality of life. 100 patients with multiple sclerosis will be allocated randomly to four groups; group1 will receive pilates plus traditional therapy, group 2 will receive yoga plus traditional therapy, group 3 will receive tai chi plus traditional therapy and group 4 will receive traditional therapy only.