Effects of 8-Week Home-Based Yoga and Resistance Training on Muscle Strength, Functional Capacity and Balance in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Muscle weakness, fatigue and balance disturbances contribute to the reduction of daily activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Therapeutic strategies to promote improvements in muscle strength , functional capacity and balance are limited in individuals with MS. Yoga training (YT) is a most popular mind-body intervention and has been known to positively affect physical, mental and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis patients with moderate disability and other cases. Strength training as a physical exercise has positive effects in performance and some disabilities in these patients. Objectives: This study was designed to determine effect of 8-week home-based YT and resistance training (RT) on muscle strength, functional capacity and balance in 26 patients with MS with mild to moderate disability. Methods: 26 male and female patients (Age: 31.3 ± 9.0749) with mild to moderate disability, were recruited and randomized into three groups: Yoga training (n = 9) with three-times weekly home based Hatha Yoga training for eight weeks, Resistance training (n = 9) with three-times weekly home based resistance training program for eight weeks and control groups (n = 8). Results: The data analyzed using one way ANOVA showed; however, that YT had no significant effect on leg extensor muscle strength, but home RT increased it. Also, functional capacity was not affected by either YT or RT, but the balance changed specially with YT. Conclusions: In conclusion, it seems that prescribing regular training programs with controlled intensity and time, particularly RT and Hatha yoga training can have a positive impact on the lower limbs strength and some degree of balance improvement in multiple sclerosis patients.