Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease with typical inflammation within the central nervous system. People with multiple sclerosis have higher risk for falls and often suffer injuries connected with falls. Main physical fall risk factor is balance impairment. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to examine physiotherapy interventions that are effective in reducing falls and fall risk in people with multiple sclerosis. Methods: Our research included articles written in English and found in the databases PubMed and PEDro. Results: Based on the criteria, five randomised controlled trials, published between 2010 and 2018, were included in the literature review. Research studies included from 27 to 119 participants, total 348 people with multiple sclerosis. The treatment period lasted from six weeks to three months and PEDro scores ranged between 3 and 8. Balance training was efficient in reducing number of fallers in one included research. In one included research was balance training efficient in reducing number of falls and in two included researches for fall risk reduction. Core stability exercise program including dual tasking and sensory strategies was found to be clinically significant in improving balance. Discussion and conclusion: Three research studies reported about benefits of balance training for reducing falls and fall risk in people with multiple sclerosis. Due to low number of studies that investigated effects of balance training it is difficult to conclude the actual efficacy of balance training in people with multiple sclerosis. Additional randomised controlled trials with uniform treatment period and long-term effects would help to provide clearer results of balance training on reduction of falls and fall risk.
|
