title: Home-based exercise program and fall-risk reduction in older adults with multiple sclerosis: phase 1 randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a home-based exercise intervention targeting fall risk in older adults with multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled pilot trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A home-based exercise program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly allocated to either a home-based exercise intervention group (n = 13) or a waiting list control group (n = 14). The exercise group completed exercises targeting lower muscle strength and balance three times a week for 12 weeks. The control group continued normal activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fall risk (Physiological Profile Assessment scores), balance (Berg Balance Scale), and walking testing prior to and immediately following the 12-week intervention. Each outcome measure was placed in an analysis of covariance with group as the between-subject factor and baseline values as the covariate. Effect sizes were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve participants from the control group and ten from the exercise group completed the study. There were no related adverse events. Fall risk was found to decrease in the exercise group following the intervention (1.1 SD 1.0 vs. 0.6 SD 0.6) while there was an increase in fall risk in the control group (1.9 SD 1.5 vs. 2.2 SD 1.9). Effect sizes for most outcomes were large (η(2) > 0.15).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Home-based exercise was found to be feasible, safe, and effective for reducing physiological fall risk in older adults with multiple sclerosis. Our findings support the implementation of a larger trial to reduce fall risk in persons with multiple sclerosis.
authors: 1Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.
authors: Jacob J
authors: JJ
authors: Sosnoff
authors: Marcia
authors: M
authors: Finlayson
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: McAuley
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Morrison
authors: Robert W
authors: RW
authors: Motl
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Balance; exercise; falls; gait; multiple sclerosis