The aim of this thesis study is to examine whether plantar sensory training given in addition to aerobic exercise training has an additional contribution to balance, functional capacity, walking and proprioception in patients with multiple sclerosis. In this direction, the hypotheses of the study are stated below.

H0 hypothesis: Plantar sensory training given in addition to aerobic exercise training in patients with multiple sclerosis has no additional contribution to balance, functional capacity, walking and proprioception.

H1 hypothesis: Plantar sensory training given in addition to aerobic exercise training in patients with multiple sclerosis has an additional contribution to balance, functional capacity, walking and proprioception.

Conventional exercises (with the addition of warm-up and cool-down periods) will be applied to all multiple sclerosis patients participating in the study; In addition, aerobic exercise training will be given. In addition to these exercises, plantar sensory training will be given to the sensory training group. Exercises and plantar sensory training will be given to the participants at intervals of three weeks, with progressively progressive sessions, 2 days a week for 12 weeks. Patients will be evaluated twice, before treatment and at the end of treatment 12 weeks later. Within the scope of the evaluation, balance, functional capacity, gait, proprioception and plantar sensory parameters will be measured in patients. As a result of the study, it will be examined whether plantar sensory training given in addition to aerobic exercise training in multiple sclerosis patients has an additional contribution to balance, functional capacity, walking and proprioception. There is no study in the literature examining the effects of plantar sensory training and aerobic exercise training on balance, functional capacity, walking and proprioception in patients with multiple sclerosis. In this respect, it is anticipated that the study will contribute to the literature.

The aim of this thesis study is to examine whether plantar sensory training given in addition to aerobic exercise training has an additional contribution to balance, functional capacity, walking and proprioception in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes damage to neural structures such as myelin sheath, oligodendrocytes, and axons in the central nervous system. In addition to motor, cognitive, cerebellar, visual and brain stem functions, sensory functions are also affected in patients with multiple sclerosis. Loss of deep and superficial senses, dysesthesia and paresthesias can be given as examples of these sensory dysfunctions. It is known that plantar cutaneous sensory information provides important clues in maintaining balance, and disturbances in sensory information for any reason cause postural oscillations. Therefore, it is thought that sensory dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis may be related to deficits in maintaining static and dynamic balance. There are limited studies on the positive effects of plantar sensory manipulations on balance in different patient populations.

The decrease in aerobic capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis may affect parameters such as balance, walking, and sensory functions. Due to these effects, activity limitations, decreased walking distance, falls, and injuries related to falling may occur in patients. It has been shown that aerobic exercise training increases functional capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis and deep senses such as proprioception and vibration in different patient groups. In this direction, the aim of the thesis study is to examine whether plantar sensory training given in addition to aerobic exercise training has an additional contribution to balance, functional capacity, walking and proprioception in patients with multiple sclerosis.

There is no study in the literature examining the effects of plantar sensory training and aerobic exercise training on balance, functional capacity, walking and proprioception in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• being between the ages of 18-65

• Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis according to McDonald's criteria

• EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) score between 3 and 5.5

• Stage 3/4/5 according to functional ambulation classification

• Being able to ambulatory 100 meters independently or with device assistance

• Not having an attack in the last 3 months

• No change in routine treatment for MS (multiple sclerosis) in the past 3 months

• Presence of plantar sensitivity loss (as measured with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments)

  • having a plantar sensory threshold value higher than 2,83-3.61 for 1st metatarsal head;
  • 2.83-3.61 for 2-3rd metatarsal heads;
  • 2.83-3.61 for 4-5th metatarsal heads;
  • 3.61-4.08 for the lateral and medial heel)(15)

• Decreased functional capacity (6-minute walking test distance F<593±57meters, M<638±44meters) (16)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being diagnosed with pulmonary, orthopedic or cardiovascular disease
• having diabetic neuropathy
• Having neurological disease other than multiple sclerosis
• Having a diagnosis of root compression, radiculopathy, lumbar disc herniation or complaining of low back pain for the last 3 months(17)
• Using an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)
• Having cognitive dysfunction (MoCA score <21)