The Relationship Between Respiratory Functions and Balance, Trunk Control, and Functional Capacity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes impairments not only in balance and functional capacity but also in respiratory functions. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between balance, trunk control, functional capacity, and respiratory function in people with MS. The study included 31 people with MS. All participants underwent respiratory function tests and, in addition to maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure (PImax, PEmax), the Mini-BESTest for balance assessment, for trunk control, the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) for, and the 2-minute walk test (2MWT) for functional capacity were administered. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used to assess the level of disability in MS patients. A statistically significant moderate correlation was found between PImax and Mini-BESTest (r:0.411 p:0.022), TIS (r:0.490 p:0.009), and 2MWT (r:0.432 p:0.017). While PEmax value showed a statistically significant and weak correlation with Mini-BESTest and TIS, it did not show a significant relationship with the 2MWT results. FEV1 (%) and FEF25-75 (%) values were moderately associated with balance, trunk control, and functional capacity. The FVC (%) value had a weak (r: 0.364, p: 0.044) relationship with Mini-BESTest, a moderate (r: 0.431, p: 0.015) correlation with TIS, and a significant correlation. The FEV1/FVC (%) and PEF (%) values had only a weak correlation with Mini-BESTest (r: 0.362, p: 0.046; r: 0.383, p: 0.034). Considering the relationship between balance, trunk control, functional capacity, and respiratory functions in people with MS, approaches targeting respiratory functions might be beneficial additions to rehabilitation programs from the early stages onward.