BACKGROUND

The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) Score is one of the most extensively accepted clinical grading scales which used to the assessment of neurological impairment and disability in multiple sclerosis (MS).

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of 10-week core stability training (CST) program on balance in women with relapsing-remitting MS according to EDSS Score.

DESIGN

A blind randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

The Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercise at the Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman.

POPULATION

Sixty-nine MS women.

METHODS

They were randomly assigned into two groups as the intervention group and the control group. These groups were categorized into three subgroups according to the EDSS as follows: subgroup A (EDSS 2.5 to 3.5), subgroup B (EDSS 3.5 to 4.5), and subgroup C (EDSS 4.5 to 5.5). The intervention group performed a CST program for 10 weeks and to evaluate static and dynamic balance performance in pre-and post-tests, the Biodex Stability System (BSS) have been used. In addition, the participants' core muscle function was evaluated using the endurance and isometric muscle strength tests.

RESULTS

The results show a significant difference between post-test variables of the core muscles function, static and dynamic balances in interventional subgroups in comparison with the control subgroups. The improved balance order has been given as subgroup C > B > A.

CONCLUSIONS

The CST program could be suggested as an efficient clinical intervention for improving dynamic and static balance in the MS women due to the improvement of core muscle function, especially for the EDSS Score more than 3.5.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

The CST could be performed as an efficient clinical intervention for improving dynamic and static balance in MS women due to the improvement of core muscle function. The present protocol could be helpful for the patients with MS especially for the EDSS Score more than 3.5.