Article
Open Access
Volume 6 · Issue 1 · 2026
pp. 1–10
The Effect of a Structured Physiotherapy Program on Anxiety, Physical Activity Levels, and Kinesiophobia in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Aişe Gül Güneş1 
, Özge Keniş Coşkun2 , Evrim Karadağ Saygı2
, Özge Keniş Coşkun2 , Evrim Karadağ Saygı2
1
Department of Physiotherapy, Başkent University Konya Application and Research Hospital, Konya, Türkiye
2
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Faculty of Medical, İstanbul Türkiye
Abstract
Objectives: Reduced physical activity and kinesiophobia may further impair quality of life and functional indepen-dence in individuals with MS. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a structured physiotherapy program on anxiety, depression, gait speed, kinesiophobia, and quality of life in individuals with MS.
Methods: This prospective clinical study included 25 ambulatory individuals. All participants completed a 10-week re-habilitation program consisting of 30 supervised sessions. Assessments performed before and after treatment included the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Scale (MSQoL-54), Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25FW), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Results: Significant improvements were observed in anxiety and depression scores following rehabilitation (p<0.05). The pain subscale of MSQoL-54 also improved significantly. No significant changes were observed in other subscale scores. However, no statistically significant changes were found in T25FW, TSK, or EDSS scores.
Conclusion: Structured rehabilitation programs may improve psychological symptoms and certain aspects of quality of life in individuals with MS. Additionally, no significant improvement was observed in walking speed, kinesiophobia, and disability levels. Further studies could be conducted to determine the effectiveness of longer-term, structured physio-therapy programs or studies incorporating different therapy methods.
Methods: This prospective clinical study included 25 ambulatory individuals. All participants completed a 10-week re-habilitation program consisting of 30 supervised sessions. Assessments performed before and after treatment included the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Scale (MSQoL-54), Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25FW), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Results: Significant improvements were observed in anxiety and depression scores following rehabilitation (p<0.05). The pain subscale of MSQoL-54 also improved significantly. No significant changes were observed in other subscale scores. However, no statistically significant changes were found in T25FW, TSK, or EDSS scores.
Conclusion: Structured rehabilitation programs may improve psychological symptoms and certain aspects of quality of life in individuals with MS. Additionally, no significant improvement was observed in walking speed, kinesiophobia, and disability levels. Further studies could be conducted to determine the effectiveness of longer-term, structured physio-therapy programs or studies incorporating different therapy methods.
Keywords: Kinesiophobia, multiple sclerosis, physiotherapy
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