Research Findings

Olga Estridge, MS Ireland's Services Manager, Allen O'Connor, MS Ireland's Chairman, Dr. Susan Coote, University College Limerick, Minister Eamonn O'Cuiv, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Anne Winslow MS Ireland's Chief Executive and Aidan Larkin, MS Ireland's National Coordinator 

MS Ireland was delighted to launch the results of 'Getting the Balance Right', our exercise based health promotion and research programme. The findings prove the benefits many people experienced.

Speaking at the launch MS Ireland's Chairman, Allen O' Connor said,

To say that the programme has been a success is an understatement. To date over 1,500 people have taken part, both in the research element and the activity programme element. People have participated in group and one-to-one physiotherapy, yoga, instructor led gym classes, tai-chi and hydrotherapy.  Each of these interventions was, and continues to be, delivered locally in towns and villages across the country. I do not want to steal Dr Coote’s thunder by announcing all the statistics, but the statistics are certainly proving that our programme made significant improvements in people’s balance, walking distances and significantly reduced the impact of MS and fatigue. This is mirrored by the enormous ‘feel-good’ factor that the programme has developed. The social aspects to meeting people, the sense of taking control of your MS and the tips and hints to learn to improve quality of life are being reported by everyone taking part.

To read all speeches:

MS Ireland's Chairman, Allen O' Connor

Dr Susan Coote, University College Limerick

MS Ireland's Chief Executive, Anne Winslow

Some of the findings include:

The average duration of current physiotherapy intervention in a variety of settings is three hours in a three month period.**

• 23% of the total number of people who at most use a stick improved their level of fatigue to the extent that they moved them from a clinical measurement of ‘fatigued’ to ‘non-fatigued’. This was reported in 27% of those on physiotherapy programmes, 18% of those on yoga programmes and 23% of those on instructor-led gym programmes. (Other studies have shown that up to 93% of people with MS report fatigue as a limitation.)


• 5% of the controls in the group who at most use a stick experienced a relapse, while only 1% of those on physiotherapy led programmes experienced a relapse.


• Those in the group physiotherapy programme for people who at most use a stick experienced a 19% reduction in the level of fatigue. Participants notedimprovements in energy, ability to recall information and time needed to complete tasks.


• Those in the physiotherapy led programmes for people who at most use a stick experienced a 15% reduction in the psychological impact of MS. Participants noted improvements in their general attitude and happiness.


• 25% of participants in the group physiotherapy programme, who use a rollator or two sticks moved from a high to a low risk of falling. (Other studies have shown that 64% of people with MS report at least two falls per year, affecting confidence in walking and social participation.)


• Those who use a rollator or two sticks and participated in one-to-one physiotherapy programmes experienced a 16% reduction in the level of fatigue.


• Those who use a rollator or two sticks and participated in group physiotherapy experienced a 20% improvement in their balance.


• Those who use a rollator or two sticks in the yoga programmes experienced a 20% increase in their walking ability, improving the distance they were able to walk in six minutes.


• Wheelchair users receiving a standard physiotherapy programme, experienced improvement in the impact of MS. Carer burden was also reduced for this group.
  
  Read more about 'Getting the Balance Right' findings