Article

The aim of this study was to establish the concurrent validity and relative and
absolute reliability, define the minimal detectable change, and evaluate the
floor and ceiling effects of the Four Square Step Test (FSST) in ambulant persons
with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Twenty-five pwMS performed the FSST on two
occasions, 8.1+/-4.1 days apart. During the first testing, session participants
also reported their fall history, performed the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait
Index, and completed the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale.
Performance on the FSST was significantly (P<0.001) and strongly associated with
performance on the Berg Balance Scale (rs=-0.84), Dynamic Gait Index (rs=-0.81),
and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (rs=-0.78). Relative reliability
of the FSST was excellent (ICC2,1=0.922). The minimal detectable change estimate
for the FSST was 4.6 s. The FSST is a valid and reliable measure of dynamic
standing balance in ambulant pwMS. However, because a substantial change (43%) is
required to demonstrate a real change in individual performance, the FSST is
unlikely to be sensitive in detecting longitudinal change in dynamic standing
balance.

Langue : ANGLAIS