title: Effects of whole body vibration on hormonal & functional indices in patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease, which affects the patients' mobility, and exercise training is considered to be beneficial for these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 10 wk of low intensity exercise and whole body vibration (WBV) training on fatigue, quality of life, functional and physical indices, and serum levels of ghrelin, leptin, and testosterone in MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty four MS patients with mild to moderate disability were recruited and randomly divided into two groups, the training group (n=17) and control group (n=17). Patients in the training group did low intensity exercise and WBV training programme three times a week for 10 wk. The control group continued their routine life. Intended variables like expanded disability status scale (EDSS), fatigue, quality of life, functional and physical indices consisted of balance, walking speed, functional mobility, functional muscle endurance, and walking endurance, and serum levels of ghrelin, leptin, and testosterone were measured before and after the protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty subjects completed the study (23 females, 7 males; mean age =38.80 ± 9.50 yr). Statistical analysis demonstrated that EDSS in the WBV training group was significantly decreased (P=0.01), balance (P=0.01), and walking endurance significantly increased (P=0.01) in MS patients (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that low intensity exercise and WBV training have some beneficial impact on functional and physical indices of MS patients.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eftekhari
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Etemadifar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014732:Vibration; D016138:Walking