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Background and Aim: Many of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with normal pure tone thresholds complain from difficulties in their hearing, especially perception of speech in background noise. Many tests for evaluation of this dysfunction have been developed one of the best tests that are applied for evaluating the ability of individual to process and categorize brief, rapid changes in auditory stimuli is duration pattern sequence test (DPST). Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to compare between MS and normal 18-40-years-old participants by the duration pattern sequence test (DPST).

Materials and Methods: This analytic-descriptive non-invasive cohort study was conducted on 20 relapsing-remitting MS and 26 normal subjects 18-40-year-old with normal hearing. The finding data, percent of corrected answers, in two groups was evaluated by T-test. 

Results: The finding showed reduction of corrected answers percentage in DPST test between two groups (P<0.05). in addition, long periods of  the disease showed poor performance in DPST test in both ear.   

Conclusion: The findings of this study confirm that temporal resolution deficits in patient with MS may be related to involvement of central auditory processing nervous system.

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Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demylinating disease that due to the involvement of multiple areas in central nervous system, including sensorimotor system can impair the patients' balance. The aim of the present study was to determine the balance, extremities muscular strength and disability rate in Iranian patients with MS and to investigate the relationship between these parameters. 

Materials and Methods: Sixty eight patients with MS participated voluntarily in this study. The berg balance scale (BBS), Motricity index (MI) and self report patient determined disease steps (PDDS) were used for assessing the balance, extremities muscular strength and patients' disability rate, respectively 

Results: Fifty six of patients showed balance impairment. Balance values were significantly correlated with muscular strength of upper (p=0.011) and lower (p<0.001) extremities in patients with balance impairment. But, the relation between balance and muscular strength in patients without balance impairment was not significant (p>0.05).There was a negative correlation between balance and disability rate (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that more than 50% of patients have balance impairment. Furthermore, the importance of evaluating muscle strength in order to predict the falling risk in MS patients were identified.

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Background and Aim: Fatigue is one of the most common problem of multiple sclerosis. It is a sign of inefficiency in the physical, social, and cognitive function. It is a major factor in limiting the responsibilities of social work of patients.The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) in Iranian and create an appropriate tool for measuring the impact of fatigue and effectiveness of treatment and also rehabilitation interventions on fatigue in Iranian patients. 

Materials and Methods: In order to use the FIS in Iranian patients, the forward  and backward translation and assessing the patient's perspective was done and the Persian version of the questionnaire was prepared.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by twenty patients with multiple sclerosis. The time duration of filling out of each questionnaire took ten to twenty minutes .The final corrections was carried out. All questions of patients was acceptable and understandable and questions of "sexual activity" was completed only by married patients. The question of "financial support" was completed only by employed person (working people). Finally, as much as possible, this questionnaire was adapted with Iranian culture and sentences were confirmed by MAPI Institute.

Conclusion: Persian version of the FIS is an appropriate tool for measuring the impact of fatigue, effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation interventions on fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis.

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Background and Aim: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from respiratory disorders during the course of their disease .To express disability, much of the interest was devoted to their mobility and less attention has been paid on physiological aspects such as respiration. The aim of this study was to compare some of the important indices of breathing patterns in healthy individuals and people with MS. Furthermore the correlation between duration of disease and disability scores (EDSS) with pulmonary indices were investigated.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analysis study, there were 32 people with MS and 32 healthy subjects. Both groups were matched and selected by some of the demographic characteristics. We investigated biochemical parameters that were assessed by measuring end-tidal CO₂ pressure, saturation of O₂ and respiratory rate using Capnograph. Student’s t-test was applied for independent samples. The relationships between duration of disease and EDSS with pulmonary indices were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation.

Results: The end-tidal CO₂ index had significant difference between the two groups and was lower in people with MS, whereas saturation of O₂ and respiratory rate did not have significant difference. There was a significant positive correlation among the disease duration and the disability scores, but was not associated with abnormal breathing pattern.

Conclusion: Existence of disorders in some parameters of  respiratory pattern in people with MS are revealed that survey of respiratory system in people with MS can be effective in the early diagnosis and treatment process of breathing problems in physiotherapy centers.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Breathing pattern, Biochemical parameter, Respiratory dysfunction