Effectiveness of Exergaming in Adittion to Conventional Treatment for Physical Therapy in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Primary outcomes

1. Physical Functional Capacity (6MWT)

   Time frame: Initial baseline assessment (week 1), assessment post-intervention 1 (week 12) and assessment post-intervention 2 (week 24).

   Physical functional capacity will be measured by 6-minute walk test (6MWT), a stress test that measures the maximum distance that an individual can travel during a period of six minutes walking as fast as possible. It will be carried out in a corridor 30 meters long, with a flat surface, preferably indoors and avoiding the traffic of people not involved in the test. Heart rate and O2 saturation (using a pulse oximeter) at the beginning and end of the test and the Borg scale (perception of effort) will also be compared.

2. Quality Of Life (MSQOL-54)

   Time frame: Initial baseline assessment (week 1), assessment post-intervention 1 (week 12) and assessment post-intervention 2 (week 24).

   The quality of life will be measured by the Multiple Sclerosis Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQOL-54). This questionnaire consists of 54 items distributed in 12 scales that measure the following dimensions of quality of life: physical health, limitations due to physical problems, limitations due to emotional problems, pain, emotional well-being, energy, health perception, social function, cognitive function, health concern, overall quality of life, sexual function, changes in health, satisfaction with sexual function. It was created from the SF-36, completing it with 18 additional items on specific aspects of multiple sclerosis.

3. Balance (Tinetti Balance Scale)

   Time frame: Initial baseline assessment (week 1), assessment post-intervention 1 (week 12) and assessment post-intervention 2 (week 24).

   The balance will be measured by the Tinetti Balance Scale. The scale qualifies the subject's static and dynamic balance during walking through 16 items, thus early detecting the risk of suffering a fall. The maximum score for static balance is 16 points and for balance during walking is 12 points, with the total sum of the scale being 28 points. It is considered a high risk of falls: less than 19 points; moderate risk of falls: from 19 to 23 points, and low or mild risk: from 24 to 28 points.

4. Strength in Lower Limbs (Handheld dynamometer)

   Time frame: Initial baseline assessment (week 1), assessment post-intervention 1 (week 12) and assessment post-intervention 2 (week 24).

   The strength in the lower limbs will be measured by a handheld dynamometer (HHD). The instrument for measuring the maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the muscles will be involved in the different joint movements. The protocol will consist of two consecutive maximum contractions for each muscle group, preceded by a warm-up test. Participants will first be shown the movement to be performed and then asked to perform it to confirm their understanding and begin the warm-up. The two measurements will be carried out continuously for 6 seconds with intervals of 30 seconds between contractions for greater performance. The final value will be the average of the two measurements made. The measurements will be carried out on the dominant lower limb in hip flexors, hip extensors, hip adductors, hip abductors, knee flexors, knee extensors, ankle flexors and ankle extensors muscles.

5. Spasticity in Lower Limbs (Modified Ashworth Scale)

   Time frame: Initial baseline assessment (week 1), assessment post-intervention 1 (week 12) and assessment post-intervention 2 (week 24).

   The spasticity in the lower limbs will be measured by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). This clinical tool will be used to assess muscle tone by measuring the level of resistance to passive movement. Compared to the original version, this scale includes the score 1+, thus existing a range between 0 (no increase in tone) and 4 (affected part rigid in flexion or extension) with 6 different options. These passive joint movements will be performed between 5-8 times (for a more reliable result) in 1 second from the position of maximum contraction of the muscle to be evaluated. The protocol will consist of carrying out the evaluation on a stretcher after 3 minutes of rest on it (thus avoiding the possible increase of muscle tone due to movement). Passive movements will be carried out in both lower limbs (starting with the left leg) in hip flexors, hip extensors, hip adductors, hip abductors, knee flexors, knee extensors, ankle flexors and ankle extensors muscles.