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Alghwiri A1, Aldughmi M2, Jamali F3, Awidi A3, Khalil H4, Al-Sharman A5
1The University of Jordan, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, 2The University of Jordan, Physiotherapy, Amman, Jordan, 3The University of Jordan, Cell Therapy Center, Amman, Jordan, 4Jordan University of Science and Technology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Irbid, Jordan, 5Jordan University of Science and Technology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Amman, Jordan
Background: People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) experience a wide range of physical disabilities such as balance and gait impairments which negatively impact their quality of life. Several intervention techniques have been used to reduce MS disability such as stem cell therapy and exercise. However, there is limited evidence on the combined effect of stem cell therapy and exercise programs on balance and gait in people with MS.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy injections and a combined exercise program (CEP) versus MSCs alone or CEP alone on balance and gait in people with MS.
Methods: Participants were randomized into 3 groups: MSCs, CEP, or MSCs and CEP. The following measurements were used to assess severity, balance, and gait of participants at baseline and 3 months: the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC), Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Participants in the MSCs group received stem cell injections once a month for 2 months. Individuals in the CEP group received 2 sessions per week of a supervised exercise program including strength, aerobic, and balance exercises for 3 months. The third group received both MSCs injections and the CEP program. Within each group, a paired t-test was used to compare the mean and standard deviation (SD) of study measurements' total scores at baseline and 3 months.
Results: Thirty-nine MS individuals (female =56%) with a mean age of 36.6±9.9 and mild to moderate MS severity (EDSS=3.9±1.9) participated in this study. For MSCs alone and CEP alone groups, there was no significant difference in the total score of balance and gait measurements between baseline and 3 months. For the third group (combined MSCs and CEP), there was a significant improvement at 3 months in the following measurements: the ABC (P= .005), the FES-I (P= .038), the BBS (P= .016), and the DGI (P= .044). The total score of TUG and 6MWT were not significantly different between baseline and 3 months in the third group.
Conclusion(s): The findings highlight the importance of combining mesenchymal stem cells therapy injections and combined exercise programs in improving balance and gait in people with MS.
Implications: This study provides important information to guide healthcare professionals in improving balance, gait and reducing MS disability using multidisciplinary approaches.
Keywords: Stem Cell Therapy, Balance, Gait
Funding acknowledgements: This study was funded by the University of Jordan Deanship of Academic Research.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy injections and a combined exercise program (CEP) versus MSCs alone or CEP alone on balance and gait in people with MS.
Methods: Participants were randomized into 3 groups: MSCs, CEP, or MSCs and CEP. The following measurements were used to assess severity, balance, and gait of participants at baseline and 3 months: the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC), Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Participants in the MSCs group received stem cell injections once a month for 2 months. Individuals in the CEP group received 2 sessions per week of a supervised exercise program including strength, aerobic, and balance exercises for 3 months. The third group received both MSCs injections and the CEP program. Within each group, a paired t-test was used to compare the mean and standard deviation (SD) of study measurements' total scores at baseline and 3 months.
Results: Thirty-nine MS individuals (female =56%) with a mean age of 36.6±9.9 and mild to moderate MS severity (EDSS=3.9±1.9) participated in this study. For MSCs alone and CEP alone groups, there was no significant difference in the total score of balance and gait measurements between baseline and 3 months. For the third group (combined MSCs and CEP), there was a significant improvement at 3 months in the following measurements: the ABC (P= .005), the FES-I (P= .038), the BBS (P= .016), and the DGI (P= .044). The total score of TUG and 6MWT were not significantly different between baseline and 3 months in the third group.
Conclusion(s): The findings highlight the importance of combining mesenchymal stem cells therapy injections and combined exercise programs in improving balance and gait in people with MS.
Implications: This study provides important information to guide healthcare professionals in improving balance, gait and reducing MS disability using multidisciplinary approaches.
Keywords: Stem Cell Therapy, Balance, Gait
Funding acknowledgements: This study was funded by the University of Jordan Deanship of Academic Research.
Topic: Neurology
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: The University of Jordan
Ethics committee: Clinical Research Office at the Cells Therapy Center (CTC)
Ethics number: CRO-FRM-3/R0
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
