title: Fall risk and incidence reduction in high risk individuals with multiple sclerosis: a pilot randomized control trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility of three fall prevention programs delivered over 12 weeks among individuals with multiple sclerosis: (A) a home-based exercise program targeting physiological risk factors; (B) an educational program targeting behavioral risk factors; and (C) a combined exercise-and-education program targeting both factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Home-based training with assessments at research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 103 individuals inquired about the investigation. After screening, 37 individuals with multiple sclerosis who had fallen in the last year and ranged in age from 45-75 years volunteered for the investigation. A total of 34 participants completed postassessment following the 12-week intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned into one of four conditions: (1) wait-list control (n = 9); (2) home-based exercise (n = 11); (3) education (n = 9); or (4) a combined exercise and education (n = 8) group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before and after the 12-week interventions, participants underwent a fall risk assessment as determined by the physiological profile assessment and provided information on their fall prevention behaviors as indexed by the Falls Prevention Strategy Survey. Participants completed falls diaries during the three-months postintervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 34 participants completed postintervention testing. Procedures and processes were found to be feasible. Overall, fall risk scores were lower in the exercise groups (1.15 SD 1.31) compared with the non-exercise groups (2.04 SD 1.04) following the intervention (p < 0.01). There was no group difference in fall prevention behaviors (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further examination of home-based exercise/education programs for reducing falls in individuals with multiple sclerosis is warranted. A total of 108 participants would be needed in a larger randomized controlled trial.ClinicalTrials.org #NCT01956227.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA jsosnoff@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Jacob J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sosnoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Yaejin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wajda
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Marcia L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Finlayson
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McAuley
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Urbana, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Motl
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; accidental falls; balance; education; fall risk factors; gait; mobility