Instrumented balance and walking assessments in persons with multiple sclerosis show strong test-retest reliability.
Jordan J Craig, Adam P Bruetsch, Sharon G Lynch and 2 others
PMID 28532417WHAT IT FOUND
Wearable-sensor quiet-standing and extended Timed Up and Go measures gave similar results across days in people with MS, except some sway frequency measures.
They did not match self-reported balance confidence or walking ability.
Key findings
01In people with MS, all instrumented TUG measures showed excellent test-retest reliability.
02In people with MS, all instrumented standing balance measures except frequency dispersion showed excellent test-retest reliability.
03Sensor measures did not significantly correlate with self-reported balance confidence or MS walking scale.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The MS group had only 15 participants and was high functioning with low disability, so results may not apply to more impaired people with MS. Participants were excluded if they used a mobility aid for 25 ft walking, were taking fampridine, had recent symptom exacerbation, or had EDSS above 5.5. All participants had relapsing-remitting MS, and MS EDSS scores ranged from 1 to 3.5. Sensor measures did not correlate with self-reported balance confidence or MS walking scale. Frequency dispersion was poor in healthy controls and less reliable in people with MS.
Declared interests
The supplied text names the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and National Institutes of Health as funders.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat these sensor measures as a validated fall-risk or disability assessment for all people with MS. The sample was small and high functioning, and the measures did not correlate with self-reported balance confidence or walking scale; links to disability and falls were based on one testing occasion and need longitudinal testing.