Home Balance Training Intervention for People With Multiple Sclerosis

This study investigated the effects of a home balance training intervention on people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This quasi-experimental repeated-measures study involved 14 ambulatory community-dwelling individuals with MS. Subjects were assessed on three separate occasions: before and after a 6-week control period and after a 6-week home exercise program. After the intervention, subjects demonstrated significant improvement in measures of balance, including the Berg Balance Scale and specific components of the Sensory Organization and Limits of Stability Tests. In conclusion, a multidimensional home exercise program can improve certain measures of balance in individuals with MS who have mild to moderate disability. Whether these improvements lead to improved quality of life or a reduction in fall risk is yet to be determined.