Project FARMS: Fall Risk Reduction in Multiple Sclerosis
Project FARMS: Fall Risk Reduction in Multiple Sclerosis
Over half of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) report falling over a 6-month period and a
 majority of those who fall require medical attention for injuries. Importantly, balance
 dysfunction, muscle weakness, and spasticity are modifiable risk factors for falls among
 community-dwelling older adults and likely persons with MS. Indeed, there is evidence that
 these physiological risk factors can be minimized with exercise training in persons with MS
 and this might translate into a decrease in fall risk as documented in community-dwelling
 older adults.

 The investigation will examine the effectiveness of a home-based exercise program that is
 designed to reduce fall risk by targeting specific fall risk factors including balance
 dysfunction and two of its latent causes, muscle weakness and spasticity in persons with
 multiple sclerosis. It is predicted that persons who receive home-based exercise program will
 have a reduction in fall risk.
Over half of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) report falling over a 6-month period and
 half of those who fall require medical attention for injuries. To make matters worse, a fall
 can result in activity curtailment, physiological deconditioning, and institutionalization.
 Importantly, balance dysfunction, muscle weakness, and spasticity are modifiable risk factors
 for falls among community-dwelling older adults and likely persons with MS. Indeed, there is
 evidence that these physiological risk factors can be minimized with exercise training in
 persons with MS and this might translate into a decrease in fall risk as documented in
 community-dwelling older adults. To that end, an appropriately designed exercise training
 program that targets specific, modifiable risk factors might be effective for decreasing the
 fall risk in persons with MS.

 The investigation will examine the effectiveness of a home-based exercise program that is
 designed to reduce fall risk by targeting specific fall risk factors including balance
 dysfunction and two of its latent causes, muscle weakness and spasticity in persons with
 multiple sclerosis. It is predicted that persons who receive home-based exercise program will
 have a reduction in fall risk.

 Participants will undergo multidimensional assessment of walking, balance, muscle strength,
 spasticity and fall risk prior to and immediately following the 12 week intervention.
 Following baseline assessment participants will be randomized into intervention or control
 groups. The intervention group will receive exercise instruction 4 times over 2 months. The
 home-based exercise protocol will focus on improving balance, walking, lower limb and core
 muscle strength, and spasticity, all potential determinants of falling.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  having an established definite diagnosis of MS;

 -  being independently ambulatory or ambulatory with an aid;

 -  having the visual ability necessary to read 14 point font;

 -  meeting the age requirement (i.e., 50-75 years of age);

 -  having fallen at least once in the past year and

 -  willingness and ability to attend the training sessions and testing sessions

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  non-ambulatory;

 -  risk factors contra-indicative for undertaking strenuous exercise as determined by the
 physical activity readiness questionnaire.