Efficacy of Square- Stepping Exercises in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
MeSH terms: Multiple Sclerosis; Sclerosis
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Square stepping exercises can promote correct foot placement, fast and coordinated step
      patterns, and sensory-motor interaction. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of
      square stepping exercises on mobility, balance and knee joint position sense in individuals
      with multiple sclerosis.
    

Detailed description: 
      Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease of the central nervous
      system that results in neurological disability. Complex gene-environment interactions play a
      role in the etiology of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is more common in women than
      men, with a ratio ranging from 2:1 to 3:1.

      MS is a very heterogeneous disease and it can have very variable clinical signs and symptoms,
      including motor, sensory, autonomic and cognitive disorders, depending on the region of the
      central nervous system. Balance and mobility disorders are the leading symptoms of MS. In
      addition, somatosensory disorders are frequently encountered as the initial symptom.
      Disorders in position sense, which is one of the components of somatosensory sense, is an
      important determinant of limitations during dynamic activities such as walking and balance.
      In order to reduce disability and improve function in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis,
      square stepping exercises protocol will be given to one group and a home exercise program
      protocol to the other group. Created by Shigematsu and Okura to improve balance and reduce
      the risk of falling, the square stepping exercises is performed on a thin exercise mat
      divided into 40 small squares of 250 cm x 100 cm. There are a number of step patterns that
      must be followed by the participants. Certain step patterns will be repeated 3-5 times to the
      participants and the participant will be asked to repeat the same pattern. As a home exercise
      protocol, a program consisting of frenkel exercises developed by Professor Heinrich Sebastian
      Frenkel for the treatment of gait, balance and coordination will be applied.

      Square stepping exercises can promote correct foot placement, fast and coordinated step
      patterns, and sensory-motor interaction. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of
      square stepping exercises on mobility, balance and knee joint position sense in individuals
      with multiple sclerosis.
    

Intervention name(s): Square Step Exercises Program; Home Exercise Program
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Intervention description: patient will be treated for eight weeks, two days a week, one session a day, and total 16 session. Each session will be 45 minute.; Frenkel's coordination exercises will be applied as a home program for 8 weeks, 2 days a week, with each exercise session 15-30 minutes excluding rest periods.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Total of two groups: Square stepping exercise program group and home exercise program group
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; Mobility; Balance; Position Sense