Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2016

Publication Source

Journal of Exercise Medicine Online

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects and feasibility of a task-oriented ankle and foot exercise program on gait, balance, and strength in 6 adults with mild to moderate disability from multiple sclerosis (MS). The subjects participated in an 8-wk task-specific home-based ankle and foot exercise program. Outcome measures included stance phase ankle joint torque and power, limits of stability, isometric and isokinetic ankle strength, gait speed, and the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12). Five subjects completed the 8- wk intervention. Following training, there were significant increases in ankle power during early (38.1%) and late (11.8%) stance, limits of stability (6.1%), and isokinetic dorsiflexion (26.4%), and plantar flexion (15.0%) strength. There were no differences in isometric strength, gait speed, or the MSWS-12. The findings indicate that a task-oriented home-based ankle and foot exercise program appears to be safe and feasible and may improve select measures of gait, balance, and muscle performance in individuals with MS who have mild to moderate disability. Further research may be warranted.

Inclusive pages

1-13

ISBN/ISSN

2378-4083

Document Version

Published Version

Comments

This document has been made available for download by permission of the publisher.

Permission documentation on file.

Publisher

American Society of Exercise Physiologists

Volume

1

Issue

1

Peer Reviewed

yes

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