Effects Aquatic Exercises on Balance and Hand Function in Multiple Sclerosis

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
• Interventions: Other: Halliwick; Other: Aquatic Plyometric Exercises

• Registration Number: NCT03679806
• Lead Sponsor: Dokuz Eylul University

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare and contrast the effects of two different aquatic exercises on postural control and hand functions in people with multiple sclerosis.

Detailed Description

Impaired limits of stability causes falls in people with Multiple sclerosis (pwMS) whereas a well-controlled posture provides improved upper limb functions which are limited in almost 75% of pwMS due to weakness, spasticity or tremor. It is an already known fact that hand dexterity is an indicator of fall risk due to neuromuscular causes and/or abnormalities in the corpus callosum in pwMS.

Aquatic therapy (AT) provides a safe and effective environment for many therapeutic purposes. It is important to understand the effects of each type, intensity, and duration of the aquatic interventions to accomplish most suitable aquatic exercise program.

Halliwick method, neuromotor treatment approach which uses fluid and mechanical properties of water, is based on postural control by mobilizing and controlling body parts through the Ten Point Program.

During Aquatic Plyometric Exercises, proximal part of the body needs to be stabilized to generate a sudden and powerful contraction at the distal part and stabilization of the proximal joints is necessary for maintaining distal movements in a coordinated way.

It is important to understand the effects of each type, intensity, and duration of the aquatic interventions to accomplish most suitable aquatic exercise program. This study aims to compare and contrast the effects of two different aquatic exercises on postural control and hand function.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-05
• Primary Completion: 2016-07
• Study Completion: 2016-09
• Status Verified: 2018-09
• Study First Submitted: 2018-09-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-09-19
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-09-19
• Study First Posted: 2018-09-20
• Last Update Posted: 2018-09-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• EDSS>6
• volunteered

Exclusion Criteria

• Clinical relapse within three months
• incontinence
• persistent infection

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Halliwick	Halliwick	Exercises were performed in a private pool owned by the local MS society twice in a week for 8 weeks. Pool depth was 120 cm 30-31°C Mental adjustment, sagittal rotation, transverse rotation, and combined rotation controls, balances in stillness steps of the Halliwick concept were included.
Aquatic Plyometric Exercise	Aquatic Plyometric Exercises	Exercises were performed in a private pool owned by the local MS society twice in a week for 8 weeks. Pool depth was 120 cm 30-31°C. The three phases of each exercise; eccentric (or loading) phase, the amortization phase, and the concentric (or unloading) phase included.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in limits of stability	Baseline and 8 weeks	measured with Biodex Balance System (BBS; SD 12.1"Display 115 VAC). Patients were asked to stand on the rigid surface with barefoot and eyes open during measuring limits of stability. During each test trial, patients must shift their weight to move the cursor from the center target to a blinking target and back as quickly and with as little deviation as possible. The same process is repeated for each of the nine targets. Targets on the screen blink in random order. The tests repeated three times with 30 second resting time between trials. Patients' performance is evaluated from a total score of 100 where the higher score represents better trunk control.
Change in Nine hole peg Test	Baseline and 8 weeks	The patient is seated at a table with a plastic NHPT placed at the patient's middle and asked to place pegs in a random order as quick as possible by using dominant hand first total time was recorded in seconds. Three consecutive trials with the dominant hand are immediately followed by three consecutive trials with the non-dominant hand.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Dokuz Eylul University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation; 🇹🇷 Izmir, Turkey