TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Sensory integration balance training in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized, controlled trial
JO  - Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical and Laboratory Research
A1  - Gandolfi, Marialuisa
A1  - Munari, Daniele
A1  - Geroin, Christian
A1  - Gajofatto, Alberto
A1  - Benedetti, Maria Donata
A1  - Midiri, Alessandro
A1  - Carla, Fontana
A1  - Picelli, Alessandro
A1  - Waldner, Andreas
A1  - Smania, Nicola
SP  - 1453
EP  - 1462
VL  - 21
IS  - 11
N2  - BACKGROUND: Impaired sensory integration contributes to balance disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). <br><br>OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to compare the effects of sensory integration balance training against conventional rehabilitation on balance disorders, the level of balance confidence perceived, quality of life, fatigue, frequency of falls, and sensory integration processing on a large sample of patients with MS. <br><br>METHODS: This single-blind, randomized, controlled trial involved 80 outpatients with MS (EDSS: 1.5-6.0) and subjective symptoms of balance disorders. The experimental group (n = 39) received specific training to improve central integration of afferent sensory inputs; the control group (n = 41) received conventional rehabilitation (15 treatment sessions of 50 minutes each). Before, after treatment, and at one month post-treatment, patients were evaluated by a blinded rater using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), number of falls and the Sensory Organization Balance Test (SOT). <br><br>RESULTS: The experimental training program produced greater improvements than the control group training on the BBS (p < 0.001), the FSS (p < 0.002), number of falls (p = 0.002) and SOT (p < 0.05). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Specific training to improve central integration of afferent sensory inputs may ameliorate balance disorders in patients with MS. Clinical Trial Registration (NCT01040117).<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1352-4585
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1352458514562438
ID  - ref1
ER  -