The Six Spot Step Test: a new measurement for walking ability in multiple sclerosis

Author:

Nieuwenhuis M M1,Van Tongeren H2,Sørensen P S3,Ravnborg M4

Affiliation:

1. Department of Neurology, Copenhagen MS Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, University of Nijmegen, Netherlands

2. The MS Rehabilitation Centre in Haslev, Haslev, Denmark

3. Department of Neurology, Copenhagen MS Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

4. Department of Neurology, Copenhagen MS Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, The MS Rehabilitation Centre in Haslev, Haslev, Denmark,

Abstract

Objective The primary objective of this study was to develop a quantitative test to assess ambulation in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients that is more accurate and sensitive than the Timed 25-foot walk (T25FW). For this purpose, we developed the Six Spot Step Test (SSST), which besides speed includes co-ordination and balance, to be a lower limb counterpart to the 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). Background The T25FW, which is the ambulation test of the MS Functional Composite (MSFC), reflects only the speed component of walking. The lack of sensitivity to other components of gait adds to the floor effect. Methods and patients In the SSST, the patient is instructed to walk as quickly as possible from one end to the other of a rectangular field measuring 1× 5 m, while kicking five cylinder blocks out of five circles marked on the floor. Some 151 MS patients with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 0-6.5 and 64 normal controls performed the SSST and the T25FW. In addition, 41 patients performed the tests twice. Results The range of the SSST (4.7-35.1 seconds) was wider than that of the T25FW (3.5-22.6 seconds). Using control mean+ 2 SD as cut off, 107 patients had abnormal SSST, while 100 patients had abnormal T25FW. The T25FW (mean) increased 2.1 seconds over the EDSS range of 0-4.0, while the SSST increased 4.9 seconds. The intra-class correlation between repeated tests (r) was 0.95 for the SSST and 0.96 for the T25FW. The correlation between the SSST and the T25FW was high ( r=0.92). Conclusion The SSST seems to be superior to the T25FW in terms of dynamic range, floor effect and discriminatory power. The SSST is a relevant alternative for the T25FW as the ambulation component of the MSFC.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Neurology (clinical),Neurology

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3