EFFECT OF 12-WEEK AQUATIC TRAINNING ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and debilitating nervous system in which the
myelin of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is destroyed. The disease is one of the
major reasons of life change, especially at youngsters that can cause the loss of the quality of life in
patients. This study tries to investigate the effects of aquatic training (for 12 weeks) on the quality of
life of women with MS.
Materials & Methods: The research methodology was quasi-experimental applied research. From
among the female patients referred to Kashani MS clinic, 38 women with MS (0<EDSS> 4/5; 8±2
years disease; 20-40 years old) selected as a sample of research, and they were randomly assigned to
and control group. Training program for aquatic group included one hour sessions as long as three
sessions a week for 12 weeks. Patients' quality of life was measured using WLFOQOL-BREF test,
before and after exercise. Data analysis is done by using descriptive statistics as well as analysis of
covariance and comparisons of adjusted averages.
Result: The scores of quality of life of the experimental groups are significantly different (P < 0.05).
Therefore, it can be said that aquatic training interventions can significantly increase the quality of life
of the examinees in the post-experiment stage.
Conclusion: Aquatic training can improve quality of life in MS patients. We recommend this
technique as an effective and economical method both in cost and time.