Article

PURPOSE: To investigate; (i) the relationship between the 5STS-test and lower
extremity muscle strength and balance, and (ii) the variability of the 5STS-test
in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. METHOD: 22 MS patients were divided into two
groups (Group A and Group B) who completed one 5STS familiarization test session
and two testing sessions. In Group A, session 1 also included assessment of lower
extremity muscle strength. Session 2 and 3 involved completion of two 5STS-tests
and assessment of balance. In Group B, session 2 and 3 involved completion of two
rounds of two 5STS-tests separated by a 30 min break. RESULTS: Significant
correlations were found between the 5STS-test and isometric and isokinetic knee
flexor and extensor muscle strength of the most affected leg (R = -0.60 to
-0.77), and between the 5STS-test and balance performance (R = 0.69).
Intra-assessor day-to-day variability, intra-assessor test-retest variability and
intra-assessor variability within test were 25.5, 22.3, and 23.1%, respectively.
Inter-assessor variability within test and inter-assessor variability were 23.4 and 5.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 5STS-test is related to lower extremity
muscle strength and to balance performance in MS patients. For interventional
purposes, a change of >25% can be regarded as a real change.

Langue : ANGLAIS