Do the core stability and position sense of trunk affect balance in patients with multiple sclerosis?

Objective: The trunk is known to be the most important key point where sensory inputs are received and motor responses occur, necessary for the maintenance of balance and postural control. The aims of the present study were to investigate the relationship between balance with core stability and position sense of trunk in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) and to compare core stability, position sense of trunk and balance in PwMS and healthy controls. Methods: The study was completed with 45 PwMS and 29 healthy controls with matching age and gender. Balance was assessed with Postural Stability Test (PST) and Modified Sensory Organization Test (MSOT) by using Biodex Balance System (R). Core stability was evaluated with core endurance tests according to McGill procedure. Position sense of trunk was evaluated with the lumbosacral (LS) reposition tests by using Dualer IQTM digital inclinometer. Results: PST, MSOT and LS repositioning tests scores were higher (p<0.001) and the trunk flexor, extensor, right and left lateral endurance tests scores were lower (p<0.001) in PwMS compared to healthy controls. PST and MSOT were found to be correlated with core endurance tests scores (rs=-0.406/-0.602, p<0.05) and LS reposition test scores (rs=0.357/0.510, p<0.05) in PwMS. Conclusion: This study suggested that core stability and position sense of trunk were affected and caused imbalance in PwMS. Therefore, clinicians should consider assessments and interventions directed at decreased core stability and trunk position sense in PwMS

Effects of task-oriented training combined with aerobic training on serum BDNF, GDNF, IGF-1, VEGF, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta levels in people with Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled study

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Exercise training, which is incorporated both goalbased training such as task-oriented training (TOT) and aerobic training (AT), has been suggested to induce neuroprotection. However, molecular mechanisms which may underlie exercise-induced neuroprotection are still largely unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of TOT combined with AT (TOT-AT) on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell-derived growth factor (GDNF), insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) levels in people with PD (PwPD). Methods: Forty PwPD were randomized into 8-week of either exercise group (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The exercise group received TOT-AT while the control group received only AT. Serum BDNF, GDNF, IGF-1, VEGF, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta levels determined with ELISA were assessed at baseline and after training. Results: A total of 29 PwPD completed this study. Our results showed no significant change in the serum BDNF, GDNF, IGF-1, VEGF, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta levels in both groups. After the intervention period, no significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the serum BDNF, GDNF, IGF-1, VEGF, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta levels. Conclusion: TOT-AT could not be an effective exercise method for changing serum concentrations of BDNF, GDNF, IGF-1, VEGF, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta in the rehabilitation of PD

Task-oriented circuit training combined with aerobic training improves motor performance and balance in people with Parkinson's Disease

Goal-based training such as task practice combined with aerobic training (AT) has been suggested to improve motor performance and neuroplasticity for people with Parkinson ' s Disease (PwPD); however, its effect on clinical outcomes is unclear. Therefore, the main aim was to investigate the effects of task-oriented circuit training combined with AT (TOCT-AT) on balance and gait in PwPD. The secondary aim was to investigate the effects of TOCT-AT on functional mobility, balance confidence, disease severity, and quality of life. Twenty-six PwPD were randomly assigned to either to the experimental group (n = 14) or the control group (n = 12). The control group received AT, while the experimental group received TOCT-AT three times a week for 8 weeks. The main outcomes were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Postural Stability Test (PST), Limits of Stability Test (LOS), Pull Test (PT), Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Unified Parkinson ' s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and eight-item Parkinson ' s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8) were secondary outcomes. After intervention, between-group comparisons showed that the experimental group significantly improved more than the control group in all outcomes (p < 0.05). Additionally, both groups significantly improved in BBS, 6MWT, TUG, ABC, UPDRS-II, UPDRS-III, UPDRS total, and PDQ-8 (p < 0.05), while only the experimental group significantly improved in PST, LOS, and PT (p < 0.001). This study suggest that TOCT-AT could improve balance and gait performance, which could also be positively translated into functional mobility, balance confidence, disease severity, and quality of life in PwPD

A comparison of water-based and land-based core stability exercises in patients with lumbar disc herniation: a pilot study

Purpose: To determine and compare the effects of core stability exercise programs performed in two different environments in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients. Method: Thirty-one patients who were diagnosed with LDH and were experiencing pain or functional disability for at least 3 months were randomly divided into two groups as land-based exercises or water specific therapy. Also, 15 age-sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited as healthy controls. Both groups underwent an 8-week (3 times/week) core stabilization exercise program. Primary outcomes were pain, trunk muscle static endurance and perceived disability level. The secondary outcome was health-related quality of life. Results: Level of static endurance of trunk muscles was found to be lower in the patients compared to the controls at baseline (p 0.05). After the treatment, static endurance of trunk muscles of the LDH patients became similar to controls (p > 0.05). Conclusion: According to these results, core stabilization exercise training performed on land or in water both could be beneficial in LDH patients and there is no difference between the environments

Relationship between lower extremity isometric muscle strength and standing balance in patients with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Muscle strength and standing balance decrease in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Self-reported Foot and Ankle Score in patients with foot or ankle pain

Objective: The aim of this study was to translate the Self-Reported Foot and Ankle Score (SEFAS) into Turkish and to determine the validity and reliability of the translated version in patients with foot or ankle pain