Follow-up Study of the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Therapy in MS Patients

Different therapies can improve clinical and motor symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) similarly, but studies comparing the effects of different exercise therapies on clinical and motor outcomes are scant. We compared the effects of exergaming (EXE), balance (BAL), cycling (CYC), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), and a standard care wait-listed control group (CON) on clinical and motor symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in people with MS (PwMS). Methods: PwMS (n = 68, 90% female; age, 47.0 yr; Expanded Disability Status Scale score 5-6) were randomized into five groups. Before and after the interventions (five times a week for 5 wk), PwMS were tested for MS-related clinical and motor symptoms (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29), primary outcome), QoL (EuroQol Five Dimensions Questionnaire), symptoms of depression, gait and balance ability (Tinetti Assessment Tool), static and dynamic balance and fall risk (Berg Balance Scale), walking capacity (6-min walk test), and standing posturography on a force platform. Patients were followed up for 2 years after 5 weeks of intensive care. Tests are performed every six months.

Neurorehabilitation 2 years long intervention, administered daily, targeted postural instability, balance and mobility using at-limit intensity sensorimotor and visuomotor agility training

Neurorehabilitation 2 years long intervention, administered daily, targeted postural instability, balance

EQ-5D (EQ-5D was first introduced in 1990 by the EuroQol Group, The EQ-5D questionnaire is made up for two components; health state description and evaluation)

Berg Balance test (The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was developed to measure balance among older people with impairment in balance function by assessing the performance of functional tasks, 41-56 = low fall risk, 21-40 = medium fall risk, 0 -20 = high fall risk )

Six minutes walk test (6MWT) (m) (The six-minute walk test (6MWT) measures the distance an individual is able to walk over a total of six minutes on a hard, flat surface. The goal is for the individual to walk as far as possible in six minutes. The individual is allowed to self-pace and rest as needed as they traverse back and forth along a marked walkway)

Beck Depression scale (The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a 21-item, self-report rating inventory that measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression, 0-13: minimal depression, 14-19: mild depression, 20-28: moderate depression, 29-63: severe depression)

Inclusion Criteria: Multiple Sclerosis instability problem Exclusion Criteria: • Severe heart problems, severe demeanor, alcoholism, drug problems