title: Sensory integration balance training in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Impaired sensory integration contributes to balance disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this paper is to compare the effects of sensory integration balance training against conventional rehabilitation on balance disorders, the level of balance confidence perceived, quality of life, fatigue, frequency of falls, and sensory integration processing on a large sample of patients with MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  This single-blind, randomized, controlled trial involved 80 outpatients with MS (EDSS: 1.5-6.0) and subjective symptoms of balance disorders. The experimental group (n = 39) received specific training to improve central integration of afferent sensory inputs; the control group (n = 41) received conventional rehabilitation (15 treatment sessions of 50 minutes each). Before, after treatment, and at one month post-treatment, patients were evaluated by a blinded rater using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), number of falls and the Sensory Organization Balance Test (SOT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experimental training program produced greater improvements than the control group training on the BBS (p < 0.001), the FSS (p < 0.002), number of falls (p = 0.002) and SOT (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific training to improve central integration of afferent sensory inputs may ameliorate balance disorders in patients with MS. Clinical Trial Registration (NCT01040117).
authors.affiliation: Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Centre (CRRNC), Italy/ Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Marialuisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gandolfi
authors.affiliation: Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Centre (CRRNC), Italy/ Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Munari
authors.affiliation: Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Centre (CRRNC), Italy/ Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geroin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gajofatto
authors.affiliation: USF Malattie Demielinizzanti, Neurologia dU Borgo Roma, AOUI Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Donata
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy/ School of Specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Midiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy/ School of Specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Fontana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carla
authors.affiliation: Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Centre (CRRNC), Italy/ Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Private Hospital Villa Melitta, Italy.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waldner
authors.affiliation: Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Centre (CRRNC), Italy/ Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy nicola.smania@univr.it.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smania
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
keywords: Gait disorders; equilibrium; falls; postural control; quality of life; rehabilitation