ABSTRACT
Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is a disease of central nerve system which involves brain and spinal cord. The cause of this disease is still unknown. It causes disorders in conducting nerve and electrical current by destroying myelin. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of aquatic exercises for 8 weeks on the improvement of balance among female MS patients. This is an applied research study using semi-experimental method. From 100 MS patients, 25 people were randomly selected on the basis of illness degree and age. The criteria applied for the random selection were: Patients' responses to an Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS, 1-4], an average illness time of 4 +/- 1 and the age range of 20-50 years. They were divided into two groups: The experimental group consisting of 15 patients and the controlled group which consisted consists of 10 patients. The experimental group participated in the exercises with an intensity rate of 40-50 percent of the maximum heart-beat rate for 8 weeks, three sessions per week. Krutzke EDSS questionnaire was used to measure the EDSS in experimental and controlled groups both before and after the exercises. The gathered data were analyzed by using descriptive statistic and dependent sample t-test. The research has shown that after 8 weeks of treatment, the balance in the experimental group was significantly improved [P=0.000]. A significant difference in their mean scores on EDSS was observed [p=0.000]. Also, there was a significant difference in the experimental group's EDSS scores in the pre-test AND post-test [P=0.000]. However, there was no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of the controlled group [P=0.279, alpha=0.05]. As the findings suggest, exercises of this type could decrease up to 0.5 degree in EDSS scores among MS patients. Such amount of decrease is very valuable for MS patients. Considering the results of this research suggesting an improvement in the balance of MS patients with low EDSS, it seems necessary to apply aquatic exercises for such patients. Therefore, it is recommended that MS patients practice such exercises, under the supervision of specialists, as a supplementary remedy along with the medical treatments