The CALA philosophy promotes water as the training tool



Community-based group aquatic programme for individuals with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

This study was designed to determine whether it is feasible to provide a community-based aquatic exercise program and to examine the effects of a group aquatic exercise program in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Eleven subjects with multiple sclerosis participated in a 5-week community-based aquatic exercise program. Held twice weekly for 60 minutes the program included aerobic exercises, strength training, flexibility exercises, balance training and walking activities. The 10-Metre Walk test, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the ‘Timed Up and Go’ (TUG) test, grip strength and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale were used to assess motor function.

Analysis of the scores demonstrated improvements in all four tests. All participants reported that they enjoyed the program, and they had improved after the training. So a community-based aquatic exercise program is feasible and can result in improvement in for individuals with multiple sclerosis.

An aquatic training program is appropriate and beneficial for people with multiple sclerosis and should be considered to augment the rehabilitation of those individuals. This program may provide a viable model for a community-based wellness program for people with disability including individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Yasser Salem1, Anne Hiller Scott2, Herbert Karpatkin3, George Concert2, Leah Haller2, Eva Kaminsky2, Rivky Weisbrot2, Eugene Spatz4

1Department of Physical Therapy, Long Island University, One University Plaza, Brooklyn, New York, USA

2Department of Occupational Therapy, Long Island University, One University Plaza, Brooklyn, New York, USA

3Department of Physical Therapy Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, USA

4Division of Sports Sciences, Long Island University, One University Plaza, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Yasser Salem, PT, PhD, NCS, PCS, Correspondence: Department of Physical Therapy, Long Island University, One University Plaza Brooklyn, New York 11201, USA. E-mail: yasser.salem@liu.edu  [pic]

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