Group-Based Individualized Comprehensive Core Stability Intervention Improves Balance in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The control group received less therapist contact than the intervention group, so the study cannot separate the effect of GroupCoreDIST exercises from extra attention and group time. The intervention was a package of individual examination, group sessions, home exercises, therapy balls, and dual tasks, so it is unclear which component produced the balance gains. Participants and therapists were not masked, so self-reported balance may be influenced by expectations. Most participants had mild to moderate disability, with 81% EDSS scores of 1 to 3.5, so results may not apply to people with more severe MS. One participant dropped out at the 7-week test and some later assessments were missed, leaving 79 analysed rather than 80 allocated.

Funded by the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority (Project Grant 1240), described as independent public funding.

Do not conclude that GroupCoreDIST is proven better than all other balance programmes or that its core-stability exercises alone caused the gains. The control group received standard care and reported an average of 0.28 physical therapy sessions per week, while the intervention group attended an average of 2.5 group sessions per person per week, so extra therapist contact, group dynamics, and individualized exercise choices cannot be separated from the core-stability component.