Nawal Abdelraouf Abou Shady, Nevin M. Shalaby, Neveen M. El Fayoumy, Khaled H. Youssef, Hassan M. Ibrahim Abou Salem

Abstract

Background: Most patients with multiple sclerosis are not only suffering from musculoskeletal symptoms (muscle weakness and/or tone disorders, ROM affections, joint pains, and postural deformities), but also from a variety of neurological and vestibular-based symptoms (Vertigo, Disequilibrium, Unsteadiness of gait, Headaches, tinnitus, and nausea), which increases their risk of falling and impedes their recovery. The aim: to determine the influence of vestibular rehabilitation therapy on stability functions in patients with remitting relapse multiple sclerosis, and to explain this influence from functional and neurophysiological points of view. Methods: Forty-five medically-referred patients participated in this study, who were selected from multiple sclerosis unit, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University. The patients were divided into two groups; (CG) was a control group, receiving a selected physical therapy program consisting of muscle strengthening, weight bearing exercises and Postural reeducation, and (SG) was a study group and was treated through vestibular rehabilitation therapy methods. The physical therapy program was conducted three times per week, for six weeks. Biodex balance master indices were used to assess and establish the patients’ results. The results: Before starting the treatment, there was a non-significant difference in the mean values of all variables in SG&CG. At the end of the treatment, there were significant improvements in antero-posterior, medio-lateral, dynamic, and limits of stability indices in study group (SG) (p<0.05). In the Control group (CG) there was only a significant improvement in Antero-Posterior stability index, with no significant difference in other variables. Conclusion: Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) has positively improved the stability functions in patients with remitting relapsing multiple sclerosis.