Effectiveness of Eight Weeks of Aquatic Exercises on Fatigue, Balance and Functional Movement in male patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Clinical Trial Study

Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common progressive neurological diseases affecting the motor pathways leading to muscle fatigue. This study was done to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of aquatic exercises on fatigue, balance and functional training in male patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: This clinical trial study was done on 15 men with multiple sclerosis in Zahedan, south-east of Iran. The subjects selected by available and purposeful sampling method participated in research. After primary screening and reconnaissance person of bona fide, subjects randomly divided into intervention group (n=8) with average age 42.62±6.67 height 171.87±2.47 weight 69.62±12.39 and control group (n=7) with average age 30.28±7.11, height 171.57±8.05 weight 66.68±17.26. During study the patients used and follow medicinal drugs according to prescription. Subjects in interventional group were received aquatic exercises program. Aquatic exercises program consisted of 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. The level of fatigue, balance and functional movement respectively evaluated with fatigue assessment battery for MS, Y balance and side hop jump tests. Results: The mean of functional movement was significantly increased in interventional group in comparison with controls (P<0.05). The mean of fatigue was significantly reduced in interventional group compared to controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: Eight weeks of aquatic exercises improves functional movement and reduce fatigue in male patients with multiple sclerosis.