Monitoring Intensity During Balance Training in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Description

Balance training is recommended to improve gait stability and mobility. However, there are currently no clearly defined methods for controlling the intensity (challenge) of balance training. This research project aims to determine whether balance training for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), individually tailored to the level of difficulty and exertion, is feasible and possible within an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either they will complete group training focusing on strength, endurance, and balance in addition to their regular therapy program, or they will receive individually tailored balance training. Both groups will undergo an initial assessment followed by seven training sessions, each lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Before discharge, the initial assessments will be repeated. These assessments include completing questionnaires, performing gait tests, balance tests, and a short cognitive test. Interviews will also be conducted with patients and therapists. These are intended to help better assess the feasibility of the training and to gain more insight into the experiences with the training.

Interventions

• Balance training (Other)
  The balance training is performed three times per week over a period of three weeks with sessions lasting 45-60 minutes. The intervention is designed to meet the individual needs of pwMS and allows for challenging tasks, while guaranteeing safety by a harnass. During the first training session the appropriate exercise levels that target the adequate intensity are determined (baseline value). Moderate to high-intensive BT in this study is defined as a score of 7-9 points on the rate of perceived stability (RPS) scale and to fulfill the moderate to high-intensive characteristics on the therapists' scale. The intensity of each exercise (level of challenge during the exercise) is monitored and documented for both the therapists and pwMS. According to this feedback, progression is performed by systematically by in- or decreasing difficulty of the exercises.
• Sporttherapy (Other)
  The control group performs a standardized group training session (usual care, UC) that consists of strength, endurance, coordination, balance and mobility exercises. This training is part of standard care at the Rehabilitation Clinic Valens and is therefore not personalized for each participant. The training is performed three times per week over a period of three weeks with sessions lasting 45-60 minutes.

Eligibility criteria

Conditions

Locations

• Rehabilitation Centre Valens — Valens, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland