Effects of Lower Extremity Neuromuscular Facilitation and Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Treatment tested

• exercises

Inclusion Criteria: * (i) Having been diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) according to the 2017 McDonald criteria (Thompson, Banwell et al. 2018), (ii) Aged 18-65 years, (iii) Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 4 or below, (iv) No relapses in the past 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: * (i) Having a history of trauma to the lower extremities within the last year, (ii) having a known history of other chronic neurological disorders, (iii) having any contraindications to exercise, (iv) cognitive impairment as defined by a mini-mental test (scoring below 24 points).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of lower extremity Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) exercises on balance, gait, and fatigue in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Method: Twenty-six MS patients (18 women, 8 men) were included in the study. Participants were divided into two groups. The study group (n=13) underwent lower extremity Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation exercises, while the control group (n=13) underwent lower extremity strengthening exercise training three days a week for six weeks. Static balance, tandem stance test, dynamic balance, walking with the 4-step square test, walking with the 25-step test, and fatigue were assessed twice, before and after treatment, using the fatigue severity scale.