The effects of core stabilization exercises in addition to balance exercises in adult hemophilia patients on balance, quality of life, lower limb muscle strength and functional level

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 6 weeks of balance exercises and core stabilization exercises on balance, quality of life, lower extremity muscle strength and functional level in adult hemophilic patients. Twenty-two volunteers diagnosed with hemophilia between the ages of 19-60 years (mean age:37.31 ± 12.57 years) were included in the study and randomly divided into 3 groups. Balance was assessed with One-Leg Stand Test and Functional Reach Test, quality of life with SF-36, fear of movement with Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, lower extremity muscle strength with a digital dynamometer, and lower extremity functional level with using 6-Minute Walk Test and Timed-Up and Go Test. It was found that lower extremity muscle strength increased in Balance+Core Stabilization Exercises Group more than Balance Exercises Group (p≤0.10). There was a statistically significant improvement in Balance Exercises Group at General Health and Physical Function subscales of quality of life (p1=0.094; p2=0.094), and there was no significant improvement in Balance+Core Stabilization Exercises Group (p> 0.10). While it was found that Balance Exercises and Balance+Core Stabilization Exercises increased the lower extremity functional level of the patients (p1=0.08; p2=0.016), there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of posttreatment differences (p=0.367). There was no change in the fear of movement before and after exercise (p1=0.313; p2=0.688; p3=0.813) in all three groups. In conclusion, hemophilic individuals had more effective results in terms of balance, muscle strength and lower extremity functional level with Core stabilization exercises in addition to balance exercises, which had never been used before in the literature. However, longterm treatment and follow-up is needed to reduce kinesiophobia and to improve quality of life in these patients. In order to increase the safety and efficacy of treatment in rehabilitation, it is recommended that a specially developed exercise program be applied to these patients under the supervision of an experienced physiotherapist.