The Effect of Community Exercise Interventions for People with MS Who Use Bilateral Support for Gait

Table 1

Group physiotherapy exercises and their progressions.

Hand positioning—participants may initially need to use hands for support to rise from chair, then progressing to hands by side and then to hands across chest.; Seat height—participants may initially require a higher seat height which can be lowered to increase the intensity of the exercise.; Repetitions—to be performed in sets of 12 and number of sets to be increased to 3 as participant progresses.; Weights—handheld weights may be given to participants who need further progression.	Support—participants may initially need bilateral support; this can be decreased to unilateral and then to no support as participants' ability increases.; Weights may be given to participants who are able to perform 3 sets of 12 squats safely with no support.	Support—participants may initially need bilateral support; this can be decreased to unilateral support and then to independent calf raises as participant progresses.; Repetitions—to be performed in sets of 12, to be increased as participant progresses.; Other options—if participants are able, they may perform single leg calf raises, or if they can perform 3 sets of 12 independent calf raises, weights can be added as further progression.
Support—participants may begin with bilateral support and then decrease to unilateral support, then to no support.; Stepping—initially participants may step onto step and back to starting position, then step onto step and over, and then onto step, over, and backwards to starting position.; Step height—when participants are comfortable with all directions of stepping, step height may be increased.	Support—participants may begin with bilateral support, then decrease to unilateral support, and then to no support.; Number of steps—initially participants may only take one step in each direction. This can be increased as participants' ability increases. If a participant is unable to take a step to the side, weight shifting from side to side in standing may be performed and progressed to stepping when the participant is able.	Support—participants may begin bilateral support, then decrease to unilateral support, and then to no support.; Stepping—participants may initially just place one foot in front of the other and hold this position. The number of steps can then be increased as the participant progresses.; Crossover—participants may become competent at tandem walking. This can then be progressed to one foot crossing over in front of the other.