Article

OBJECTIVES: To explore differences in gait endurance, speed, and standing balance
in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) across the Disease Step Rating Scale, and
to determine if differences are statistically significant and clinically meaningful. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Community rehabilitation -
primary health care center. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling people with MS
(N=222; mean age, 48+/-12y; 32% men). INTERVENTIONS:
Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Participants were categorized using the Disease Step Rating Scale.
Demographics and clinical measures of gait endurance (6-minute walk test [6MWT]),
gait speed (10-m walk test [10MWT] and 25-foot walk test [25FWT]), and balance
(Berg Balance Scale [BBS]) were recorded in 1 session. Differences in these
parameters across categories of the Disease Step Rating Scale were explored, and
clinically meaningful differences were identified. RESULTS: The 6MWT showed a
greater number of significant differences across adjacent disease steps in those
with less disability (P<.001), whereas the 10MWT and 25FWT demonstrated more
significant changes in those with greater disability (P<.001). The BBS
demonstrated significant differences across the span of the Disease Step Rating
Scale categories (P<.001). Differences in gait and balance between adjacent
Disease Step Rating Scale categories met most previously established levels of
minimally detectable change and all minimally important change scores.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the Disease Step Rating Scale is an
observational tool that can be used by health professionals to categorize people
with MS, with the categories reflective of statistically significant and
clinically meaningful differences in gait and balance performance.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS