Effects of isokinetic exercises on balance, proprioception, quality of life, and kinesiophobia in multiple sclerosis.

To evaluate the effects of isokinetic hamstring and quadriceps muscle (IHGM)-strengthening and home exercises on balance, proprioception, fear of falling (FoF), kinesiophobia, and quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The peak torque/body mass of the IHGMs, the absolute angular error (AAE) and mean AAE of the less and more affected legs, and the scores of the Dynamic Gait Index, 10-meter walk test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Falls Efficacy Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54), Visual Analog Scale, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-17 (TSK-17) were evaluated before and after the training programs. Isokinetic exercises resulted in significantly higher improvements in the BBS (p = 0.008) and MSQoL-54 physical (p = 0.006) scores and the quadriceps muscle strength at 180°/s angular velocity in the less affected leg (p = 0.001) compared to home exercises. Isokinetic exercises can improve muscle strength, QoL, and balance in PwMS without complications or exacerbations.