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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03679806

Effects Aquatic Exercises on Balance and Hand Function in Multiple Sclerosis

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS Demyelinating Diseases Immune System Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Nervous System Diseases

Age range

45 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Dokuz Eylul University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Izmir, 35330, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • EDSS>6
  • volunteered

Exclusion criteria

  • Clinical relapse within three months
  • incontinence
  • persistent infection

Treatment and study plan

Halliwick

Other

The exercise program was progressed by increasing the speed and the range of motion of the movements. Patients were asked not to accelerate the exercise and to focus on their alignment. Mental adjustment, sagittal rotation, transverse rotation, and combined rotation controls, balances in stillness steps of the Halliwick concept were included.

Aquatic Plyometric Exercises

Other

The APE programme was progressed by increasing speed and the range of motion of the movements. Patients were carefully informed not to deform the exercise just to emulate the speed. The three phases of each exercise; eccentric (or loading) phase, the amortization phase, and the concentric (or unloading) phase explained thoroughly at the beginning of every exercise.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in limits of stability

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Change in Nine hole peg Test

    Time frame: 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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Dokuz Eylul University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects Aquatic Exercises on Balance and Hand Function in Multiple Sclerosis: Halliwick Versus Aquatic Plyometric Exercises

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Sep 20, 2018
Registry last updated
Sep 20, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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